The Cleveland Cavaliers are on the verge of solidifying their roster further as reports indicated that free agent forward Shawn Marion is seriously mulling an offer to join the Cavs.
Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports reported that Marion is leaning towards signing a deal with the Cavaliers and join LeBron James in his bid to bring a title to Cleveland next season.
Sources indicated that Marion, who is considered as one of the best defenders in the league, has yet to formally agree to a deal with the Cavaliers, but a contract could be signed soon.
"Free-agent forward Shawn Marion is leaning toward signing a deal to join LeBron James with the Cleveland Cavaliers, league sources told Yahoo Sports," Wojnarowski wrote. "Marion, 36, has yet to formally agree with the Cavaliers on a deal, but that could come soon."
Marion, who played 76 games with the Dallas Mavericks last season where he averaged 10.4 points and 6.5 rebounds, reportedly traveled to Cleveland on Monday and met with Cavaliers top officials.
Sources indicated that the Cavaliers, who are expected to become the favorite to top the Eastern Conference next season, offered the veteran's minimum of around $1.4 million to the 36-year-old forward.
However, the Marion-to-Cavaliers move could hit a snag as the Indiana Pacers are also making a strong push to acquire the 15-year-veteran.
Sources said that the Pacers are interested in Marion because they view the former UNLV standout as a short-term replacement to Paul George, who could miss the entire 2014-15 NBA season after sustaining a gruesome leg injury during the USA Basketball minicamp in Las Vegas.
The Pacers could turn the tables around as they can offer a bigger contract and attract the versatile forward by offering a bigger role next season, but they are also aware that the Cavaliers remain the favorite to land Marion.
"The Indiana Pacers wanted to pursue Marion as a short-term replacement for injured forward Paul George, and will likely soon be armed with a $5.3 million disabled player exception that would allow them to trump the Cavaliers' offer of the veteran minimum of $1.4 million per season," Wojnarowski wrote. "The Pacers are applying for the exception in the wake of George's broken leg."
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