Cleveland Cavaliers sign former New Mexico star Alex Kirk

The Cleveland Cavaliers are rumored to have hand in just about every NBA roster move since signing LeBron James and today is no different after the team announced the signing of center Alex Kirk.

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A former star at New Mexico and two-time All-MWC Defensive Team selection, Kirk is known for his defensive abilities but wasn’t selected during the 2014 NBA Draft. That shocked many though it’s the Cleveland Cavaliers who will benefit from such given their signing of the big man today.

The deal isn’t believed to be for anything other than the minimum considering that’s the only funds the Cleveland Cavaliers have available and it’s likely to be nothing more than a non-guaranteed contract. Given the Cavaliers are also rumored to be interested in signing both Shawn Marion and Ray Allen, they’ll need the availability to open up roster spots if needed. Still, Alex Kirk could find his way onto the Cavaliers roster, or at minimum be sent to their D-League affiliate.

"An early entry candidate, the 7-0, 245-pound center went undrafted in the 2014 NBA Draft after appearing in 101 games (86 starts) over three seasons at the University of New Mexico. He averaged 10.0 points on .488 shooting, 6.8 rebounds and 1.7 blocks in 25.3 minutes per game over his collegiate career."

Kirk played five games for the Cleveland Cavaliers summer league this year and put up over 5 points and nearly 3.5 rebounds in just 15 minutes per contest, all while shooting 52 percent from the floor.

By no stretch will he ever be a starter in the NBA but he could certainly carve out a role on the bench thanks to his above average defense.