Richard Jefferson Signs With Cleveland Cavaliers! Here's What to Expect

The Cleveland Cavaliers have added another great player in their roster: free agent Richard Jefferson.

According to Cleveland, the one-year deal with the NBA veteran was finally signed on Wednesday.

In the 14-year NBA career of the 35-year-old Jefferson, the Cavaliers will reportedly be his seventh team.

During his last season with the Dallas Mavericks, the website said he had an average of 5.8 points and 2.5 rebounds in 16.8 minutes per game.

Jefferson's experience and basketball skills are expected to help star player LeBron James next season.

"Shawn Marion, now retired, failed in that role last season. Free agent Tayshaun Prince had also been considered by the team," added Cleveland.

NBA reported that Jefferson will also give Cleveland the experienced wing player they need to back up James.

He reportedly decided to re-sign with the Mavs earlier but "the chance to chase an NBA title lured him to the Cavs" since the team was the opponent of the Golden State Warriors last season for the NBA title.

He is not new to the finals since he has made it to twice to championship games when he was still with New Jersey.

CBS Sports earlier explained the Cavaliers wanted to add Jefferson to their roster "to fill up their bench."

ABC News also reported that the 35-year-old veteran is worth around $1.5 million as he averaged 5.8 points and 2.5 rebounds in 17 minutes per game during his one season with the Mavs.

The player's expected return to Dallas was earlier considered to be good news to the team, especially since it failed to acquire free agent DeAndre Jordan who decided to stay with the Los Angeles Clippers at the last minute.

"But Jefferson's free agency has since played out in a similar fashion to Jordan's, with a U-turn on his intention to sign with Dallas to return to the Eastern Conference with the title-chasing Cavs," added ESPN.

Asked for comment, Mavericks owner Mark Cuban told ESPN that he spoke with Jefferson about his change of plans.

"He called and talked to me. RJ said he had an opportunity with an Eastern Conference team," Cuban said. "He said he would honor what he [originally agreed to with the Mavs] but thought the other was a better fit."

"I told him I was OK with it and understood."

Cuban added that he holds no hard feelings towards Jefferson.

This was unlike the situation with Jordan, whom Cuban has not yet talked to since the player decided to ditch a possible four-year contract with the team in exchange for staying with the Clippers.

Prior to being part of the Mavs, the small forward played for New Jersey, San Antonio, Milwaukee, Utah and Golden State.