For the Cleveland Cavaliers and its fans, everything has been going extremely well this summer in the NBA Free Agency. King James is finally back in his hometown team after spending four seasons and two NBA championship runs with the Miami Heat . James' return also facilitated the transfers of key veteran free agents like Mike Miller and James Jones. The latest addition to the newly revamped Cavaliers roster? The versatile forward Shawn Marion, reports have stated.
ESPN's Marc Stein said that the former Dallas Mavericks forward has expressed his commitment to sign with the Cavs. Citing sources, Stein wrote, "Marion informed the Cavaliers this weekend that he intends to sign with them this month, despite the fact that Cleveland can only offer him a minimum deal. The chance to play with LeBron James and immediately compete for a championship, sources said, clinched Marion's decision to choose Cleveland in the face of a ramped-up pursuit by the Indiana Pacers."
Just a week ago, ESPN also reported that the Indiana Pacers where heavily courting Marion with NBA Legend and Pacers President Larry Bird himself doing the face-to-face pitch over dinner. The Pacers are clearly looking for someone to fill the void left by Paul George's absence after his gruesome leg injury during Team USA's training camp. Marion's defense and leadership are said to be the Pacers' best hope in the coming season.
So why did Marion chose the Cleveland Cavaliers? Cleveland.com reports that, just like majority of veteran free agents this summer, Marion was intrigued of the idea of playing alongside James and the possibility of winning an NBA championship in the coming season. Although he did not share any special bond with James, Marion developed a strong relationship with Cavaliers General Manager David Griffin during his career with the Phoenix Suns from 1999 to 2008, which purportedly made him reach a decision to play with the Cavs. And as Sam Amick of USA Today had brought up Marion is putting more value on the opportunity of winning another championship under his belt than having a bigger payday. Amick said it was an obvious factor when he chose Cleveland, who could only offer him a one-year, $1.4 million veteran minimum, as oppose to the Pacers's more comfortable deal at over $4 million a year.
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