The Cleveland Cavaliers will likely offer shooting guard Wayne Ellington a contract similar to what forward Alonzo Gee got last fall — three years, $9.75 million. The Cavs will almost assuredly give Ellington a qualifying offer of about $3.1 million, which will make him restricted.

Ellington might be the only player from the Memphis trade to hang around after this year, and that’s not a guarantee. Center Marreese Speights will likely opt out of his $4.5 million deal after this year and become unrestricted.

Ellington’s presence has left Daniel Gibson the odd man out with the Cavs. Injuries, missing games for personal reasons and other factors have caused Gibson to fall out of Head Coach Byron Scott’s rotation. Lately, it’s just that Ellington is a better player. Like teammate Omri Casspi, he’s no longer in the Cavs’ plans and will become a free agent at the end of the year.

One can make a case the Cavs should re-sign Luke Walton and Shaun Livingston to contracts for next year. Both are veterans who aren’t afraid to speak up in the locker room.

via Bob Finnan of The News-Herald