The Cavaliers have agreed to a one-year deal with free agent center Robin Lopez, sources tell Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN (Twitter link). It’s a minimum-salary contract for Lopez, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (Twitter link).
Lopez is coming off a one-year, $5MM deal with the Magic. The 34-year-old was effective in a limited role in Orlando, but was in and out of the rotation as the club focused on developing young bigs Wendell Carter and Mohamed Bamba.
In 36 games (17.0 MPG), Lopez averaged 7.1 PPG, 3.5 RPG, and 1.5 APG on 55.3% shooting. The former 15th overall pick is valued by NBA teams in large part due to his willingness and ability to do the dirty work on both ends of the court, including setting good screens and effectively boxing out rebounders.
Lopez will provide some depth and veteran leadership in a Cavaliers frontcourt headed by All-Star center Jarrett Allen and promising youngster Evan Mobley.