Former New Mexico Center Alex Kirk signs with the Cleveland Cavaliers

On Monday the Cleveland Cavaliers announced the signing of former New Mexico center Alex Kirk. The deal is for two years and while the terms have not been released it is believed that part of the contract is guaranteed with the first year being at the league’s rookie minimum salary of $507,000. Kirk becomes the third Lobo to sign an NBA contract in the last two years along with Tony Snell and Cameron Bairstow, both with the Chicago Bulls.

Kirk a 7-foot, 245-pound center from Los Alamos, New Mexico, who went undrafted in the 2014 NBA draft after averaging 10.0 points on nearly 49 percent shooting to go with 6.8 rebounds and 1.7 blocks in 25.3 minutes per game over his collegiate career.

After the draft, Kirk signed with the Cavilers Summer League team and while his numbers weren't great as he averaged 5.2 points on 52 percent shooting and grabbed 3.4 rebounds in 15.4 minutes per game. Apparently, he made an impression on the Cavilers first year Head Coach David Blatt.

Blatt told the Albuquerque Journal why he signed Kirk, "Alex has been great for us, He was one of the best players in our (pre-Summer League) camp and he’s doing all the things he’s being asked to do. We’ve been very pleased with Alex."

The Cavilers have been looking for another center because the only two centers they have on roster are Anderson Varejao and Brendon Haywood both whom are in there 30s.  Even though Kirks contract is for two years he can still be cut from the team before the season as Cleveland is only allowed to have 15 players under contract 13 of who can dress for games. Kirk plans to spend the next week in Cleveland working with the team after that he will travel around the country working with different trainers on various aspects of his game.