Dunleavy signs new deal with Warriors

OAKLAND, Calif. — Forward Mike Dunleavy signed a five-year, $44 million contract extension with the Golden State Warriors on Monday, hours before a deadline that would have made him a restricted free agent after the season.

Dunleavy, the third overall pick in the 2002 draft, started 79 games for the Warriors last season, averaging a career-best 13.4 points along with 5.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game. He is the sixth member of Golden State's promising young core to sign for at least the next four seasons.

Though he has developed slowly during three losing campaigns in Golden State, the club firmly believes the young forward has better days ahead — and he returned the feeling by turning down potential free agency.

"I think I'm coming along well," Dunleavy said. "I got off to a rocky start early on. There were a lot of expectations, and they already had a bunch of players at my position. Through that, I've persevered, and I'm well on my way. I'm pleased with where I'm at and where I'm headed."

Dunleavy was a reserve as a rookie, averaging just 5.7 points and playing sparingly for coach Eric Musselman. Dunleavy's average increased to 11.7 points in his second year while he started 69 games, but the forward's solid passing was offset by spotty defense and an inconsistent perimeter game.

He improved quickly and finished strong last season under new coach Mike Montgomery, with 48 percent shooting — 43 percent on 3-pointers — over the final 34 games.

CAVS EXERCISE OPTION ON PAVLOVIC: The Cleveland Cavaliers exercised the fourth-year contract option on former Jazzman Sasha Pavlovic on Monday, a move that will keep the swingman with the club through the 2006-'07 season.

Pavlovic averaged 4.8 points and 1.1 rebounds in 65 games last season for the Cavs, who traded a first-round draft pick to the Charlotte Bobcats for the 21-year-old on June 2004.

"Sasha is a talented young player," Cavaliers general manager Danny Ferry said. "With continued hard work, Sasha can play an important part in our team's future."

Pavlovic, from Serbia-Montenegro, was originally selected with the 19th overall pick in the 2003 draft by Utah and has averaged 4.8 points and 1.6 rebounds in 144 career games.

T-WOLVES CUT FORMER 1ST ROUNDER: The Minnesota Timberwolves gave up on former first-round draft pick Ndudi Ebi, waiving the 21-year-old forward on Monday after acknowledging two years of work wasn't enough to prepare him for NBA competition.

Ebi's $803,600 salary for this season is guaranteed, but the Timberwolves saw little hope of him getting any playing time.