Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen agreed to a $100 million contract on Monday night. The deal will keep him with the team for the next five years, although it won't become official until August 6, when the NBA free agency moratorium is over. Allen began last season in Brooklyn and split time with DeAndre Jordan. However, after he landed in Cleveland as a piece of the James Harden fiasco, he picked things up even more, finishing the year by averaging 13.2 points, 9.9 boards, and 1.4 blocks. The 23-year-old is a candidate to be one of the most efficient big men in the league, and nobody would blame managers for reaching for him in upcoming fantasy drafts.

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) — Evan Mobley didn’t visit Cleveland or hold a private workout for the Cavaliers before the NBA draft. The Southern California center did, however, expect to be selected by them with the No. 3 overall pick. “I’ve done a little homework on Cleveland the last couple of weeks,” Mobley said. “They’ve got a lot of really young, athletic guys — just like I am — so I thought I would fit right in. “Now that I’m here, I’m excited to meet them all. We’re going to have a great dynamic duo with all my teammates.” Mobley made his initial trip to Northeast Ohio on Friday, a day after being chosen by the Cavaliers. Detroit picked Cade Cunningham first and Houston tabbed Jalen Green second, allowing Cleveland coach J.B. Bickerstaff to grab his top-rated player. An athletic 7-footer with a 7-4 wingspan, Mobley earned Pac-12 Player of the Year, Freshman of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year honors in his lone college season. He averaged 16.4 points and 8.7 rebounds while shooting... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — As the Cavaliers' slow, stuttering rebuild continues around a “core four” of young players, the team still views Kevin Love as an important piece. One worth keeping around. At least, for now. On Friday, general manager Koby Altman spoke to the media for the first time since the Cavs completed a injury-marred season by going 22-50 and failing to compete for a playoff spot during a year in which Love went from being a major contributor to a distraction. The five-time All-Star played in just 25 games because of a severe calf injury. All that will be remembered from his forgettable season is an on-court lapse against Toronto when he lost his composure and smacked the ball away in frustration only to have the Raptors grab it and score. It's a regrettable moment that has stained an otherwise clean resume. Love's mini-tantrum was also a microcosm of a frustrating season for the Cavs, who used 30 different starting lineups and lost 300 total games to injuries. There was also plenty... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — Duncan Robinson scored 18 points on 6-for-9 shooting on 3-pointers and the Miami Heat continued their home dominance over the Cleveland Cavaliers with a 115-101 victory Saturday night. Bam Adebayo finished with 18 points and 11 rebounds, Trevor Ariza scored 15 points and Jimmy Butler added 15 points and 11 assists as the Heat won their 20th straight against the Cavaliers in Miami. The Heat finished with 35 assists, including 13 in the first quarter. Robinson hit his first four 3-pointers as Miami shot 10 for 21 from long range in the first half and led 67-54 at halftime. “Everybody has pure intentions about it — just to play off each other, share the game and enjoy each other's success,” Miami coach Erik Spoelstra said. “You play to your strengths but you do it with the intention to play together, to try to create something better.” Collin Sexton scored 26 points and Taurean Prince finished with a season high 19 points for the Cavaliers, who lost their fifth straight and have... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — Duncan Robinson scored 18 points on 6-for-9 shooting on 3-pointers and the Miami Heat continued their home dominance over the Cleveland Cavaliers with a 1105-101 victory Saturday night. Bam Adebayo finished with 18 points and 11 rebounds, Trevor Ariza scored 15 points and Jimmy Butler added 15 points and 11 assists as the Heat won their 20th straight against the Cavaliers in Miami. Collin Sexton scored 26 points and Taurean Prince finished with a season high 19 points for the Cavaliers, who lost their fifth straight and have not win in Miami since Jan. 25, 2010. The Heat finished with 35 assists, including 13 in the first quarter. Robinson hit his first four 3-pointers as Miami shot 10 for 21 from long range in the first half and led 67-54 at halftime. Cleveland pulled to 75-70 on Prince’s layup with 4:05 remaining in the third quarter before Miami scored five consecutive points and regained its double-digit advantage. TIP INS Cavaliers: Larry Nance Jr. (illness), Jarrett Allen... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Cavaliers star center Kevin Love will play in just his fifth game this season after being sidelined by a severe calf strain. Coach J.B. Bickerstaff said Love — and guard Matthew Dellavedova, who hasn't played in more than a year — are available Thursday night as the short-handed Cavs face the Philadelphia 76ers. It's Love's first action since March 14, when he came back after missing 32 games. Dellavedova is making his season debut after being out with a concussion and appendectomy. Bickertstaff said Love and Dellavedova, the only players left from the Cavs' 2016 NBA title team, will be on a minutes restriction as they ease their way back into game shape. Love played 45 total minutes in Cleveland's first two games before missing more than two months with the injury, which he initially sustained during the exhibition opener and was only supposed to keep him out for a month. The injury lingered, and the five-time All-Star struggled to gain enough confidence to play at less... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Andre Drummond is joining the Los Angeles Lakers for the playoff push. The Lakers announced the signing of the two-time All-Star center less than an hour before Sunday night's game against the Orlando Magic. Drummond announced his decision with a post on his Instagram account earlier in the day, writing “Back to work” underneath an illustration of himself in a Lakers uniform. Drummond agreed to a buyout Friday from the Cleveland Cavaliers, who acquired the four-time NBA rebounding champion last year after nearly eight seasons in Detroit. He had to clear waivers before he could join a team of his choosing, and Drummond chose to link up with LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the defending NBA champions. “We’re all thrilled. He’s one of the best centers in the league and someone every defensive coordinator is going to have to account for while trying to slow down LeBron, AD and our guards when we get going," Lakers coach Frank Vogel said after Sunday's 96-93 victory over the... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Andre Drummond is joining the Los Angeles Lakers for the playoff push. The Lakers announced the signing of the two-time All-Star center less than an hour before Sunday night's game against the Orlando Magic. Drummond announced his decision with a post on his Instagram account earlier in the day, writing “Back to work” underneath an illustration of himself in a Lakers uniform. “Andre Drummond gives us powerful, anchor-point skills on both ends of the court,” general manager Rob Pelinka said in a statement. “We feel extremely fortunate to add a player of his caliber and magnitude to our core group at this stage of our journey to defend the NBA title.” Drummond agreed to a buyout Friday from the Cleveland Cavaliers, who acquired the four-time NBA rebounding champion last year after nearly eight seasons in Detroit. He had to clear waivers before he could join a team of his choosing, and Drummond chose to link up with LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the defending NBA champions.... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Andre Drummond says he's joining the Los Angeles Lakers for the playoff push. Drummond announced his decision with a post on his Instagram account Sunday, writing “Back to work” underneath an illustration of himself in a Lakers uniform. Coach Frank Vogel said Sunday night before the Lakers' home game against Orlando that he could not comment on the signing of the two-time All-Star center because it wasn't oficial yet. Drummond agreed to a buyout Friday from the Cleveland Cavaliers, who acquired the four-time NBA rebounding champion last year after nearly eight seasons in Detroit. He had to clear waivers before he could join a team of his choosing, and Drummond chose to link up with LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the defending NBA champions. Drummond is almost certain to get his first significant NBA postseason playing time with the Lakers after appearing in only eight playoff games — and losing all eight — in two postseason trips with the Pistons. When Drummond gets... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Andre Drummond says he's joining the Los Angeles Lakers for the playoff push. Drummond announced his decision with a post on his Instagram account Sunday, writing “Back to work” underneath an illustration of himself in a Lakers uniform. The defending NBA champions didn't immediately confirm the signing of the two-time All-Star center several hours before a home game against Orlando. Drummond agreed to a buyout Friday from the Cleveland Cavaliers, who acquired the four-time NBA rebounding champion last year after nearly eight seasons in Detroit. He had to clear waivers before he could join a team of his choosing, and Drummond chose to link up with LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the Lakers. Drummond is almost certain to get his first significant NBA postseason playing time with the Lakers after appearing in only eight playoff games — and losing all eight — in two postseason trips with the Pistons. When Drummond gets up to playing speed after sitting out the past six weeks,... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Center Andre Drummond is now a free agent and can sign with a contending team after reaching a buyout with the Cavaliers. Drummond, who hasn't played since mid-February, began negotiating terms of the buyout with the Cavs on Thursday after the club didn't trade the 27-year-old before the deadline. The agreement ends a partnership that became awkward when the Cavs benched Drummond to give young center Jarrett Allen more playing time. Despite losing his role with the team, Drummond, a two-time All-Star with Detroit before coming to Cleveland last year, stayed engaged with his teammates and didn't become a distraction. He often sat among the Cavs coaches during games, offering tips and encouragement. “I want to thank Andre for his contributions to our team both on and off the court, and for his professionalism and mutual cooperation as we navigated through this process with him and his representation,” said general manager Koby Altman. “We have great respect for Andre as a... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Center Andre Drummond is now a free agent and can sign with a contending team after reaching a buyout with the Cavaliers. Drummond, who hasn't played since mid-February, began negotiating terms of the buyout with the Cavs on Thursday after the club didn't trade the 27-year-old before the deadline. The agreement ends a partnership that became awkward when the Cavs benched Drummond to give young center Jarrett Allen more playing time. Despite losing his role with the team, Drummond, a two-time All-Star with Detroit before coming to Cleveland last year, stayed engaged with his teammates and didn't become a distraction. He often sat among the Cavs coaches during games, offering tips and encouragement. “I want to thank Andre for his contributions to our team both on and off the court, and for his professionalism and mutual cooperation as we navigated through this process with him and his representation,” said general manager Koby Altman. “We have great respect for Andre as a... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The NBA trading deadline came and went. Andre Drummond didn't move. Unable to find a trade partner Thursday for the benched center, the Cavaliers will try to structure a contract buyout for the two-time All-Star, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because talks are ongoing. Drummond hasn't played since Feb. 12 and could wind up on a contending team after being pushed aside in Cleveland. The sides can agree to any financial figure for the buyout, and Drummond will likely get a prorated portion of the $28.7 million he's due this season. When it happens, the buyout will conclude an awkward situation for Drummond and the Cavs, who took him out of the lineup so they could give Jarrett Allen more playing time after acquiring the young center from Brooklyn in January. Although he wasn't playing, Drummond remained engaged with his teammates. Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff lauded the way Drummond handled things.... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The NBA trading deadline came and went. Andre Drummond didn't move. Unable to find a trade partner Thursday for the benched center, the Cavaliers will try to structure a contract buyout for the two-time All-Star, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because talks are ongoing. Drummond hasn't played since Feb. 12 and could wind up on a contending team after being pushed aside in Cleveland. The sides can agree to any financial figure for the buyout, but Drummond will likely get a prorated portion of the $28.7 million he's due this season. The Cavs were expected to be busy Thursday but only made one deal, agreeing to send veteran center JaVale McGeee to the Denver Nuggets for 22-year-old center Isaiah Hartenstein and two future second-round draft picks, a person familiar with the deal told AP. The picks are in 2023 and 2027, said the person who spoke on condition of anonymity because the trade must be... [More]

DENVER (AP) — The Denver Nuggets are bringing back center JaVale McGee in a trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers, according to a person with knowledge of the deal. The Nuggets will send power forward/center Isaiah Hartenstein to the Cavaliers along with a protected second-round pick in 2023 and another second-rounder in '27. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Thursday because the deal had not been announced. It's the second time the Nuggets have acquired McGee in a trade-deadline deal. They also picked him up from the Washington Wizards as part of a three-team exchange in 2012. The 33-year-old McGee averaged eight points and 5.2 rebounds in 15.2 minutes per game for the Cavs this season. In Denver, McGee will be a backup to All-Star big man Nikola Jokic, who's inserted himself into the MVP conversation by averaging almost a triple-double (27 points, 11.5 rebounds, 8.5 assists). This may be the start of a busy trade-deadline day for the Nuggets, who made it... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Andre Drummond is on the trade block — and the bench. The two-time All-Star center will be inactive for upcoming games as the Cleveland Cavaliers, who are struggling badly after a solid start and are intent on playing newly acquired center Jarrett Allen, try to deal Drummond. Coach J.B. Bickerstaff said the decision to sit Drummond, one of the NBA's leading rebounders at 13.5 per game, was difficult. "Sometimes you’re forced into difficult positions that’s not easy to navigate, but in respect to Dre and all that he’s done and accomplished and as much as he’s helped us, we thought this was the fairest thing to do for him,” Bickerstaff said before the Cavs closed out a rough road trip Monday night at Golden State. After the team met with Drummond and his agent, he was kept out Sunday's game — the team called it “rest” — against the Los Angeles Clippers. Drummond will continue to stay on the sideline while the team tries to find a trade partner. Bickerstaff said the Cavs will... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Andre Drummond wasn't part of the Cavaliers' future plans. He's not part of current ones, either. The two-time All-Star center will be inactive for upcoming games as the Cavs, who are struggling badly after a solid start, pursue a trade for him, a person familiar with the team's intentions told The Associated Press on Monday. Drummond sat out Sunday night's game — the team called it “rest” — against the Los Angeles Clippers and will continue to stay on the sideline, said the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the Cavs have not publicly commented on Drummond's situation. There is “nothing imminent” on the trade front, the person added. The deadline is March 25. ESPN.com was first to report Drummond's status. The Cavs moved center Jarrett Allen into Drummond's starting spot on Sunday, and the team intends to build around the 22-year-old Allen, who was acquired along with forward Taurean Prince from Brooklyn in a trade last month. As the Cavs lost their seventh... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Cavaliers will make center Andre Drummond inactive for upcoming games as they pursue a trade for him, a person familiar with the team's plans told The Associated Press on Monday. Drummond did not dress for Sunday night's game against the Los Angeles Clippers and will continue to stay on the sideline, said the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the Cavs have not publicly comment on Drummond's situation. There is “nothing imminent” on the trade front, the person added. The Cavs said Sunday Drummond wasn't playing for “rest.” The trading deadline is March 25. ESPN.com was first to report Drummond's status. A two-time All-Star over eight seasons with Detroit, Drummond is in his final year under contract. He's not part of Cleveland's future as the Cavs intend to build around 22-year-old center Jarrett Allen, who was acquired last month from Brooklyn. After a surprising start under coach J.B. Bickerstaff, the Cavs have plummeted, losing seven straight... [More]

DENVER (AP) — Paul Millsap scored a season-high 22 points on his 36th birthday, Michael Porter Jr. added 19 and the Denver Nuggets routed the Cleveland Cavaliers 133-95 on Wednesday night to snap a three-game skid. The Nuggets opened a 23-point lead in the first half, saw it increase to 34 in the third — notoriously a problem quarter for them this season — and coasted from there as Nikola Jokic and his fellow starters got the fourth quarter off. Jokic finished with 12 points and 12 assists. “When we play the right way, we’re a really good team,” Millsap said. It was the fifth straight loss for the Cavaliers. It's also tied for their most lopsided loss of the season. They were beaten 141-103 on Jan. 24 at Boston. “To me, the Nuggets sent a clear message from the jump ball to the end of the game,” Cleveland coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “The message was, there was an intent to embarrass us, whether it was through physicality, whether it was showboating after plays, whether it was the shot... [More]

DENVER (AP) — Paul Millsap scored a season-high 22 points on his 36th birthday, Michael Porter Jr. added 19 and the Denver Nuggets routed the Cleveland Cavaliers 133-95 on Wednesday night to snap a three-game skid. The Nuggets opened a 23-point lead in the first half, saw it increase to 34 in the third — notoriously a problem quarter for them this season — and coasted from there as Nikola Jokic and his fellow starters got the fourth quarter off. Jokic finished with 12 points and 12 assists. “When we play the right way, we’re a really good team,” Millsap said. It was the fifth straight loss for the Cavaliers. It's also tied for their most lopsided loss of the season. They were beaten 141-103 on Jan. 24 at Boston. “To me, the Nuggets sent a clear message from the jump ball to the end of the game,” Cleveland coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “The message was, there was an intent to embarrass us, whether it was through physicality, whether it was showboating after plays, whether it was the shot... [More]