John Lucas

John Lucas III came to Cleveland in a July deal from Utah with Malcolm Thomas and Erik Murphy in a primarily financially motivated trade. The long-time backup point guard spent the 2013-14 season with the Jazz (his fourth NBA franchise in six seasons) where he appeared in 42 games and started six early in the season while rookie Trey Burke was sidelined. In 14 minutes, he averaged 3.8 points, 0.9 rebounds, 1.0 assists, and 0.3 steals per game. Lucas hit just 33 percent of his field goals (a career low), 30 percent of his three-pointers (0.6 three-pointers per game), and 63 percent of his free throws. He did not appear in the last eight games of the season. As a starter, his numbers didn't improve appreciably (5.7 points, 2.0 assists in 24 minutes per game). His contract is non-guaranteed, so he may not stick with Cleveland. If Lucas makes the squad, he will battle Matthew Dellavedova for backup minutes behind Kyrie Irving. The former Oklahoma State guard can be a defensive pest on the perimeter but is limited by his 5-11 frame. The son of the first pick of the 1976 draft will only have value in deeper fantasy leagues or if his team is crushed by injuries.

Lucas is mostly a scoring point guard. The journeyman's biggest role came in Chicago in 2011-12, when he put up 7.5 points per game in 49 games off the bench. He'll play a similar role this season.

Lucas did an adequate job last season with the Bulls after Derrick Rose went down, but he joins a Raptors team that has two starting-quality point guards on the roster. At best, Lucas is a useful insurance policy.

One of five point guards trying to make the team - could get traded.

Lucas is undersized even for a point guard, but the Rockets like his work ethic, and he played very well in the Las Vegas summer league. Expect him to push Luther Head for the backup point guard job.