Reigning NBA champions Cleveland Cavaliers are rumored to be reaching out to Norris Cole, Mario Chalmers, and Kirk Hinrich to become potential replacements for Mo Williams, who recently announced his retirement.
Ten minutes before Cavs GM David Griffin and head coach Tyronn Lue were about to face the media for the team's Media Day on Monday, the 33-year-old Williams informed the two of his decision to retire and not join the defending champs in the upcoming season.
Both team officials went on with their interviews unfazed about Williams' announcement even though it left the team with only one legitimate point guard at the moment, starting floor general Kyrie Irving.
"Throughout the summer... it was in debate on what Mo was going to choose to do," Griffin told reporters during his turn at the podium. "He vacillated a little bit, and so we were planning on this eventuality throughout."
The general manager then admitted that he is still "comfortable" with his team's present point guard status, with Irving as the starter and rookie Kay Felder as his only backup. Still, the team is reportedly seeking out veteran point guards to join their title-defense next season.
Cleveland.com reported that the Cavaliers have "contacted" free agents Cole, Chalmers, and Hinrich for the part and any of the three have yet to respond at this time.
The report noted that Cleveland has been "in contact with all three players this summer, a source said, in anticipation of Williams' move" and the former Alabama standout's final decision to retire said to have triggered the team to reach out to the three players again.
ESPN indicated that Cole and Chalmers would be "natural fits" in the Cleveland roster as both have played alongside LeBron James during their championship days with the Miami Heat.
Cole is coming off career-high averages in points (10.6), rebounds (3.4), assists (3.7), and minutes played (26.6) last season as a member of the New Orleans Pelicans while Chalmers had strong performances for the Memphis Grizzlies before he tore his Achilles tendon last March. Chalmers has already been cleared for full on-court basketball activities.
Meanwhile, Hinrich is a battle-scarred veteran at 35 years old. Many believe that he could still be effective as a backup guard that would provide a lot of poise and playmaking during crunch time.
