Andrew Bogut played all of 58 seconds in a Cleveland Cavaliers uniform, suffering a season-ending leg injury in his first game with the team back in March.
It was a significant, out-of-nowhere blow to a team aiming to repeat as league champions, and to a respected veteran Australian big who was eager to join the team. Bogut was brought on board by Cavs GM David Griffin to serve in a back-up center role, and to help compete against a familiar nemeses in the Golden State Warriors once the team reached the Finals.
The Cavs would ultimately lose in the Finals against Golden State, with its lackluster production from the bench becoming more and more apparent as the series progressed. Bogut spent the series watching from home, rehabbing and focusing on his eventual return.
According to ESPN’s Marc Stein, that eventual return is coming sooner than expected:
After his injury heartbreak in Cleveland last season, Andrew Bogut will be fully back on the free-agent market Saturday, league sources say
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 29, 2017
League sources say teams were notified this week Bogut is cleared for running/jumping and closing in on a return to full basketball activity
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 29, 2017
Teams in need of a back-up center could look to add Bogut before the season begins in the fall.
Bogut, a 12-year veteran, holds career-averages of 10 points and 8.9 rebounds per game. He won a title with the Warriors in 2015.
