Cavs setting sights on Jaric
Restricted free agent from Clippers could fill hole at point guard
By Brian Windhorst
Beacon Journal sports writer
The Cavaliers' search for a point guard is focusing.
Los Angeles Clippers restricted free agent Marko Jaric is scheduled to visit the team Thursday. If things go well, it is possible the Cavaliers could sign Jaric to an offer sheet Friday, the end of the NBA's moratorium period.
The 6-foot-7 Serbian averaged 9.9 points and 6.1 assists for the Clippers last season, his third year in the NBA. He was also one of the NBA's best in assist-to-turnover and steal-to-turnover ratios.
Jaric, 26, isn't known as a great shooter, but he has a reputation for being a solid defender.
He shot 42 percent from the field and 37 percent from 3-point range last season.
He missed 30 games with foot and hip injuries last season but was healthy by the end of the year.
``I think Cleveland is a perfect place for him,'' Jaric's agent, Bill Duffy, said Monday. ``He's a good decision-maker, a spot-up shooter, and an on-ball defender, and that's the last piece the Cavaliers need.''
Conceivably, Jaric would match up well. His size and quickness combined with the 6-5 Larry Hughes and the 6-8 LeBron James would give the Cavaliers one of the NBA's biggest and most agile backcourts. All three can handle the ball and play multiple positions, giving the team extreme flexibility.
The Cavaliers have about $6 million left to spend in free agency. If they choose to go after Jaric, the Clippers would have seven days to match and retain him. In each of the past two years, the Clippers have not matched offer sheets, letting Andre Miller leave for the Denver Nuggets in 2003 and Quentin Richardson go to the Phoenix Suns last summer.
With Shaun Livingston designated as the point guard of the future and wings Corey Maggette and soon to-be-signed Cuttino Mobley under long-term contracts, there's a chance that the Clippers wouldn't match a substantial offer to Jaric.
Duffy insists that Jaric's interest in the Cavaliers is real and that he's not just looking to get an offer matched.
``Marko sees this as a very appealing situation,'' Duffy said. ``He wants to be a starter, and he matches up well with what they have in place.''
Duffy hinted Monday that it might take the rest of the Cavaliers' cap space to get Jaric, a deal that might be worth $40 million over five years. Several other teams, believed to include the Nuggets and, possibly, the Minnesota Timberwolves, have shown interest in Jaric and might visit him this week in Los Angeles. They could offer him a deal starting at $6 million per year.
The market on point guards might be set by Antonio Daniels, the Seattle SuperSonics free agent who is eyeing several offers this week.
Rumors have been flying for days that the Cavaliers had been targeting Lithuanian point guard Sarunas Jasikevicius, who is perhaps the best shooter on the market. He is still in the running to sign with the Cavaliers even though they are looking at other options.
Jasikevicius turned down an offer from the Boston Celtics, and his other major suitor, the Indiana Pacers, are believed to be backing off as well.
The Cavaliers are also believed to be interested in Washington Wizards restricted free-agent point guard Steve Blake, who is another combo guard who can shoot.
I think the Clips have to match offers for Jaric. 
Ok, dickheads, I guess I do have a little something left for Sarus. I'm just too tired of waiting. The signings were made so fast that It got me anxious for more. I would love Sarus here, of course. But I am getting tired of talking about him, thats all.