National Basketball Association

Richard Jefferson announces he's returning to Cavs on 2-year deal

Published Jul. 7, 2016 2:42 a.m. ET

foxsports

The Cleveland Cavs added a new piece to their championship team Wednesday night and locked up a key member of that title run.

Richard Jefferson announced his return on a two-year deal while the Cavs bolstered their small forward position further by agreeing to a deal for Mike Dunleavy Jr. Chris Mannix of The Vertical reported Jefferson's deal is worth $5 million.

Jefferson, who just turned 36, played key minutes off the bench in his first season in Cleveland, especially in the playoffs when Kevin Love struggled. Jefferson said he was retiring immediately after the Cavs won the title, but then said he'd come back if the fans wanted at the championship parade.

The 6-foot-7 forward isn't the scorer he once was but he shot 45.8 percent from the field last season, including 38.2 percent on 3's, and was a better fit than Love in the Cavs' uptempo offense. His numbers were even better in the playoffs, as he shot 52.4 percent from the field and 75 percent from the line.

Richard Jefferson announces on Snapchat he has signed a two-year deal with the Cavs pic.twitter.com/aVFAo3wRKr
— Kenny Ducey (@KennyDucey) July 7, 2016

Richard Jefferson was going to retire and then realized the cap is going up.... pic.twitter.com/pVCvNmO168
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) July 7, 2016

In Dunleavy, #Cavs would be adding a savvy vet, who can shoot and is hungry for title. Richard Jefferson showed those guys are valuable.
— Tom Withers (@twithersAP) July 7, 2016