
The dominoes starting falling in the NBA on Day Two of free agency. Some of the players the Cavaliers had significant interest in appear to be headed other places but they are still very much in the free-agent game.
According to a league source, the Cavaliers have begun homing in on Toronto Raptors free-agent guard Anthony Parker after both Ron Artest and Trevor Ariza appeared set to go to other teams.
Another source said the Cavs also have spoken to another Raptors free agent, former All-Star Shawn Marion, though it was not clear late Thursday if the two sides had gotten serious. Both players are unrestricted free agents.
Artest, who was one of the Cavs' top choices, told CBSSports.com Thursday that he was going to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers instead of the Cavs. He reportedly will get the Lakers' mid-level exception for three years, a deal that could be worth $18 million. The Cavs could have offered the same, but Artest, who has a home in L.A., preferred to go to the West Coast.
A few hours later, ESPN.com reported Trevor Ariza had essentially flipped spots with Artest and decided to commit to signing with the Houston Rockets for their mid-level exception. The Cavs had pitched themselves to Ariza on the first day of free agency as well.
The Rockets, Lakers and Cavs all had the same amount of money to spend.
Another league source said the Cavs also have been in contact with Denver Nuggets restricted free-agent forward Linas Kleiza. The 24-year-old is the type of "stretch" big man the Cavs have been interested in. He averaged 9.9 points for the Nuggets, who might not be able to retain him as they attempt to stay out of the luxury tax.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are pursuing Linas Kleiza, Shawn Marion and Anthony Parker.
I don't want Shawn Marion on my team because his productions went down after he got traded to the Miami Heat and Toronto Raptors.
Marion would be a great addition to the New York Knicks because he loves playing under the Run and Gun Offense.
Linas Kleiza is a great acquisition because he's a very good outside shooter, and when the Nuggets gave him some quality minutes he's capable of scoring 20 or more points.
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