CLEVELAND — If versatile swingman Alonzo Gee leaves the Cavaliers this summer, it will be on the franchise’s terms.
Gee
Cleveland extended a $2.7 million qualifying offer to Gee, giving it the right to match any contract he signs during the NBA’s free agency period, which began Sunday.
The Cavaliers also extended qualifying offers to center Semih Erden and power forward Luke Harangody, making all three players restricted free agents.
As an RFA, the 25-year-old Gee is permitted to sign an offer sheet with any team, but the Cavaliers can match it and retain his services. He averaged 10.6 points and 5.1 rebounds in 63 games last season, splitting 31 starts between small forward and shooting guard.
Gee made $854,389 in 2011-12, spending the entire season with Cleveland after bouncing among the Wizards, Spurs, Cavaliers and NBA D-League’s Austin Toros in his first two pro seasons. He was not drafted out of Alabama in 2009.
The 6-foot-6, 219-pounder is expected to draw significant interest from teams looking for a defensive-oriented, offensively competent workhorse. Similar players typically earn $4 million-$5 million per season.
“Certainly, Alonzo is a primary target to return for us — and he’s a priority,” Cleveland general manager Chris Grant said. “He did a fantastic job for us last year and continues to grow.”
Erden and Harangody were acquired from the Celtics on Feb. 24, 2011, in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2013 NBA Draft. Neither of them has consistently demonstrated the skills needed to contribute at this level.
The 25-year-old Erden is reportedly considering a return to his native Turkey, where he played seven seasons in the Turkish/Adriatic League. Because the Cavaliers extended him a qualifying offer, they would maintain his NBA rights if the 7-footer opts to do so.
Erden played in 28 games last season — making nine starts after Anderson Varejao was injured — while averaging 3.5 points, 2.6 boards and 0.18 blocked shots. He shot a team-high .527 from the field, but was only a .512 foul shooter.
Harangody, 24, was assigned to Cleveland’s NBA D-League affiliate in Canton the maximum three times last winter. The 6-8 Notre Dame product averaged 2.9 points and 2.5 rebounds in 21 games with the Cavaliers.
Cleveland also added more frontcourt help, according to SportsNet New York’s Adam Zagoria.
West Virginia power forward Kevin Jones — a second-team All-American — reportedly agreed to a three-year, partially guaranteed contract with the Cavaliers. The undrafted rookie averaged 19.9 points and 10.9 rebounds for the Mountaineers last season.
Jones, who stands 6-8 and 260 pounds, led the Big East Conference in scoring and rebounding as a senior.
Contact Brian Dulik at brisports@hotmail.com.
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