As part of their continuing efforts to upgrade this off-season, the Cavaliers have signed restricted free agent Jamario Moon of Miami to an offer sheet, according to a league source.
The Cavaliers have about $3.2 million remaining on their midlevel exception that they can use to pay Moon, a 6-8 swingman, or they can use their $2 million biannual exception. The offer is for two guaranteed years. Once the league receives the paperwork, which is expected to be today, the Heat will have seven days to match the offer. This marks Cavaliers General Manager Danny Ferry's first foray into courting a restricted free agent. The Cavaliers are banking on Miami's attention being diverted to other concerns.
The Heat is currently pursuing Lakers free-agent forward Lamar Odom and also wants to have significant salary-cap space next summer to pursue the talented crop of potential free agents, including Cavs star LeBron James and Miami's Dwyane Wade.
With both years guaranteed, Miami would reduce its cap space next year by matching the offer to Moon.
Additionally, the Heat is just $90,000 shy of the $69.83 million luxury-tax mark. Teams are taxed $1 for every dollar they go over the luxury-tax threshold. Next season's salary cap is $57.7 million.
Miami also has several young players at Moon's position - including former Buckeye Daequan Cook, Dorell Wright, Yakhouba Diawara and James Jones - which may keep the team from matching the Cavaliers' offer.
At 29 years old, Moon is a bit of a late bloomer, averaging 7.8 points and 5.4 rebounds since joining the league with the Toronto Raptors in 2007. He was traded to the Heat in February along with Jermaine O'Neal.
The Cavaliers undoubtedly are hoping his length can help defend active and lanky forwards such as Hedo Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis, who caused Cleveland numerous headaches in the Eastern Conference finals against Orlando.
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: jvalade@plaind.com, 216-999-4654
