Leon Powe

Good news for Leon Powe - he signed a deal with Cleveland for one year with another on an option. So he is going to play for the league minimum for him - $855K for the first year, and if he gets picked up, $915K. If Cleveland can get him for two years, that is a steal. But essentially, they are just paying him to keep him off the payroll of anyone else, and hope that he can help in the playoffs. Leon's knee is not expected to get better for another 6 months or so.

So essentially, they are paying for a second year player now, and hoping that he gets better.

Here is to Leon getting through this and getting his body back together. If he can get healthy, he is going to have a great career, and his payday will be huge in two years.

As far as it goes, the Cavs have a great team for Leon to come into. They have LeBron, of course, but they also just picked up Shaq, who is on the downside of his career, but I could imagine being someone to help a young guy like Leon in the league. It is good to get to know Shaq, is my guess. And, after next year, when Shaq and LeBron leave, he will have the option to look elsewhere for the big contract, if Cleveland starts to collapse.

Leon played with LeBron in Oakland's AAU league, with the Oakland Soldiers, I believe after his sophomore year in High School. I think at that time they were the one and two players nationally, and they both talked about going to Cal. But Leon hurt his knee, and Le Bron went on to the pro's early. So he will be re-uniting with Le Bron at Cleveland - which is kinda cool that they both made it to that level. Actually, it seems like both of those guys are pretty level headed and decent people who have worked hard, and deserve the success they are having. Good for them.

GO BEARS!!