<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'></p> <p class="storytext">INDEPENDENCE: Shannon Brown's brief career with the Cavaliers has been more about promise than production, which turned what could have been a formality into a serious decision.</p> <p class="storytext">The Cavs decided not to pick up the option in Brown's contract for next season, a surprising move for last year's first-round draft choice. He's the only first-round draft choice General Manager Danny Ferry has been able to make in his three-year tenure.</p> <p class="storytext">Brown, who was taken aback by the decision, will be an unrestricted free agent after this season. He would have made $1.1 million next year if the Cavs had picked up his option.</p> <p class="storytext">The Cavs might look to trade Brown before February's trading deadline.</p> <p class="storytext">''None of these decisions are simple,'' Ferry said. '' I really like Shannon. At this point, we haven't used him a whole lot. We felt it was the right decision for now, and it's something we can address at the end of the year.''</p> <p class="storytext">Brown was limited by a leg injury in his rookie season and played in only 23 games with five starts. He averaged 3.2 points.</p> <p class="storytext">With Sasha Pavlovic absent because of contract issues and Eric Snow out with a knee injury, Brown got extended playing time in the preseason. He averaged almost 10 points but shot 37 percent with 20 turnovers and four assists.</p> <p class="storytext">''I don't know how disappointed I am because I don't know what the future brings,'' Brown said. ''You've still got to go out and play hard and help the team.''</p> <p class="storytext">Starting with the 2006 draft class, first-round picks' contracts were guaranteed for only two years, with team options to be exercised for seasons three and four by Oct. 31 of the preceding year.</p> <p class="storytext">Cavs forward Cedric Simmons, a first-rounder in 2006 and acquired by the Cavs in a trade in September, had an op tion the Cavs picked up for next year.</p> <p class="storytext">In the past, first-round picks got the first three years guaranteed, with a team option for a fourth year.</p> <p class="storytext">Of the first-rounders who signed after being drafted, only Brown, the 25th pick in the 2006 draft, and Golden State Warriors center Patrick O'Bryant, the ninth pick, didn't have their third-year options picked up by this week's deadline.</p> <p class="storytext">''It's probably a blessing in disguise,'' Brown said. ''Right now, it is play for now and see what happens.''</div></p> <p class="storytext">Source: Windhort Beacon Journal</p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (cpawfan)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> Who would trade for a player that will be begging for a job next summer?</p> </div></p> </p> How would he be begging for a job? He's a really talented player who hasn't gotten his opportunity in Cleveland. Give him some mins, and he will show off his skill.</p> </p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Kidd)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (cpawfan)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> Who would trade for a player that will be begging for a job next summer?</p> </div></p> How would he be begging for a job? He's a really talented player who hasn't gotten his opportunity in Cleveland. Give him some mins, and he will show off his skill.</p> </div></p> </p> Because he isn't a really talented player (in terms of NBA talent). He had a golden opportunity this camp to cement a place for himself in the Cavs plans and failed to do that. 6'3" combo guards are a dime a dozen.</p>
