76ers Waive Andrew Bogut - Sign With Cavaliers

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Sources: Andrew Bogut agrees to buyout with 76ers

Andrew Bogut has agreed to a contract buyout with the Philadelphia 76ers, freeing him to evaluate his next move, league sources told The Vertical.

Bogut has narrowed his next destination to Cleveland, Houston, San Antonio or Boston, and will have conversations over the next 24 hours with general managers and coaches from those teams, league sources said.

All four teams expect to make deep playoff runs, but Houston and Boston could offer more than the minimum salary.

Bogut’s agent, David Bauman, had worked with the 76ers’ front office on a plan for release since the team acquired the center Thursday in a trade with the Dallas Mavericks.

Bogut had a phone conversation with 76ers coach Brett Brown and expressed respect for Brown and the team’s culture, league sources said. Nevertheless, Bogut maintained a strong desire to enter free agency and pursue a role on a championship contender.

In 26 games for Dallas, Bogut averaged three points and 8.3 rebounds. The Mavericks acquired Bogut in July when the Golden State Warriors needed to clear salary to sign Kevin Durant. Bogut has dealt with injuries this season, but reported early to the Mavericks after the All-Star break to show his full health and remains a well-regarded defender and rim protector.

Bogut spent five years with the Warriors before joining the Mavericks. He served as Golden State’s starting center and defensive anchor during the 2015 championship season.

Bogut has averaged 10 points, 8.9 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in 12 seasons.

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Andrew Bogut to sign with Cleveland Cavaliers once he clears waivers

In-demand center Andrew Bogut has committed to sign with the Cleveland Cavaliers upon clearing waivers Wednesday night.

Bogut's agent, David Bauman, confirmed his client's decision by phone in the wake of ESPN's initial report and says Bogut is scheduled to fly to Cleveland this week to prepare for a likely debut with the Cavs next week.

"It was a methodical process," Bauman told ESPN. "He wanted to talk to all the teams and he wanted to make sure he understood the role [in each situation].

"It was a lot closer than Andrew thought going into the process. As of this morning he wasn't sure what to do. He had a great talk last night, for example, with [Celtics coach] Brad Stevens."

Bauman said Bogut went out for a lengthy workout Tuesday afternoon in Dallas, then called him and said: "Cleveland just feels right."

"This gives Andrew a chance to get back to the Finals and prove to everyone he's the defensive player everyone knows he can be," Bauman said.

Houston, San Antonio and Boston had all shown interest in the 7-foot Australian.

Cleveland will have to release a player to create a roster spot to sign him after signing Bogut's former Dallas Mavericks teammate Deron Williams earlier this week.

After coming to terms Monday on a buyout with the Philadelphia 76ers, who acquired Bogut last week in the Nerlens Noel trade, Bogut spoke to representatives from the Rockets, Celtics and Spurs in recent days before settling on the Cavaliers, who were believed to be the favorite from the start.