Andrew Bogut tipped to land at the Cavaliers

Andrew Bogut has been waived by the Philadelphia 76ers, just days after he was acquired by the team in an NBA trade.

Andrew Bogut in action for the Dallas Mavericks against Oklahoma City Thunder.

Australian centre Andrew Bogut has been waived by the Philadelphia 76ers, just days after he was acquired by the team in an NBA trade.

Philly acquired Bogut last Thursday in a deal with the Dallas Mavericks to capture Nerlens Noel in exchange for the Aussie, Justin Anderson and a 2017 first-round draft pick.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are tipped to snap up Bogut according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer although the Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs and Boston Celtics have also been linked to the towering free agent.

Cleveland, which has a bumper payroll of nearly $130 million would only be able to offer a portion of Bogut’s $1.55 million minimum salary. Bogut has played in just 26 games this season with 21 starts since joining Dallas from the Golden State Warriors last year.

Bogut must first clear waivers to become a free agent. Should he join LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love at Eastern Conference leaders the Cavaliers, he would be a strong chance to contend for a second NBA title, having collected a first with Golden State when they beat the Cavs in the 2014-15 finals series.

The 32-year-old, who was the first Australian to be the overall first pick in the 2005 NBA draft, is averaging 3.0 points, 8.3 rebounds and 22.4 minutes per game this season.

He has not played in a game since February 15 against Detroit, which was his first match since January.

Bogut’s countryman and top pick in last year’s NBA draft, Ben Simmons, has been officially ruled out for the rest of what would have been his rookie season with the 76ers with a broken foot.

“I have always known that there was a desire to get him back on the court when healthy,” 76ers general manager Bryan Colangelo said.

“He’s heartbroken. He wants to be out there. It’s eating him alive, I’m sure.”

Simmons fractured his foot on September 30, the final day of pre-season training camp.

AFP