Report: Sasha Kaun's deal with Cavs starts at $1.2 million

Facing a potentially historic luxury tax bill for 2015-16, the Cleveland Cavaliers are sparing little expense to fortify the roster around superstar LeBron James. And while the Cavs remain in a stalemate over money with restricted free agent Tristan Thompson, they've had their checkbook at the ready.

The two-year deal Cleveland's given to Russian center Sasha Kaun has a 2015-16 salary of $1.2 million, according to a report from Terry Pluto of The Plain Dealer. Kaun has a player option on the second year, which could pay him slightly more than $1.25 million if Pluto's first-year figure is correct.

While the salary is substantially higher than his theoretical minimum, the 7-footer is still taking a handsome pay cut to join the Cavs seven years after being drafted. Kaun made $2.9 million in the Russian League last season, winning his fifth VTB United League and Russian League titles in the process.

At age 30, Kaun made it clear he was looking for a chance to continue his career stateside, and he'll go from one championship contender to another. The cost to the Cavs is substantial - as they already stand well above the luxury-tax line, Kaun pushes their tax bill an estimated $3 million higher, for a real cost of over $4 million.

Kaun figures to be a backup or even third-string center for the Cavs, depending on the health of Anderson Varejao. He averaged 10.2 points and 3.9 rebounds in Russia last season, shooting 68 percent from the floor.