Sources: Cavaliers Waive Larry Sanders, Sign Edy Tavares, Dahntay Jones

The Cleveland Cavaliers signed former Milwaukee Bucks power forward Larry Sanders to a two-year, non-guarantee deal just last month, but they have now released him in favor of center Edy Tavares.

Cavs Sign Edy Tavares, Dahntay Jones, Waive Larry Sanders

Sanders played sparingly in five games over the past month after returning to the NBA following a more than two-year break. The 28-year-old had spent most of his time with the Cavs’ D-League team.

Tavares, meanwhile, blocked 11 shots in two playoff games against Cleveland’s D-League team this weekend. The center had spent the entire season playing for the Toronto Raptors’ D-League team after being waived by the Atlanta Hawks last fall. Tavares averaged 10.6 points, 7.7 rebounds and a league-best 2.7 blocks in 23.7 minutes over 48 games.He was initially drafted by the Hawks as the 43rd overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft and played in 11 games in the 2015-2016 season.

The Vertical first reported Tavares’s signing.

Cleveland (51-30, 2nd in Eastern Conference) also signed free-agent guard Dahntay Jones on Wednesday. Jones last played for the Cavs in 2015-16, when he played in one regular-season game and 15 playoff games during the team’s championship run. Throughout his 12-year NBA career, he has averaged 5.4 points and 1.7 rebounds in 15.7 minutes over 623 games (157 starts) with Memphis, Sacramento, Denver, Indiana, Dallas, Atlanta, L.A. Clippers and Cleveland.

The Dallas Mavericks, meanwhile, claimed Cavs shooting guard DeAndre Liggins off waivers on Tuesday. This move will save Cleveland more than $2 million in luxury taxes, as the Mavs now inherit Liggins’ full season salary for tax purposes.

The Cavs trail only the Boston Celtics (52-29) in the East standings. Cleveland hosts the Raptors on Wednesday night for their regular-season finale. The Cavaliers have missed Tristan Thompson for the last four games due to a right thumb injury, and coach Tyronn Lue said he plans to rest LeBron James and Kyrie Irving for Wednesday’s finale. Cleveland has lost its last two games in overtime at Miami and Atlanta.

DALLAS, TX – FEBRUARY 26: Larry Sanders #8 of the Milwaukee Bucks at American Airlines Center on February 26, 2013 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Article by Pablo Mena