While coming to terms on a deal with Larry Sanders was always the priority of the Cleveland Cavaliers, the team didn't rule out the possibility of using a roster spot on another player currently out of the league who also had a knack for blocking shots.
After losing center Andrew Bogut to a fractured leg, not only did the Cavaliers engage in contract negotiations with Sanders, but they also had discussions with forward Josh Smith, according to The Vertical's Shams Charania.
The focus was to still sign Sanders, though, so it remains to be seen what would have come of the talks with Smith had Cleveland failed to bring aboard the real apple of their eye in the former Milwaukee Bucks big man.
Smith, 31, recently competed overseas for the Sichuan Blue Whales of the Chinese Basketball Association. He left the team back in January after making 26 appearances, averaging a double-double of 18.7 points and 10.6 rebounds in 30.9 minutes per game.
He played for four teams during his 12-year run in the NBA, averaging 14.6 points, 7.5 boards, and 1.9 rejections over 891 games with the Atlanta Hawks, Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Clippers, and Houston Rockets.
