Harris, 33, signed a one-year contract worth $2.5 million. If certain incentives are met - one possibly being the Cavaliers making the playoffs - a second year could be added to the deal.
The veteran shooting guard is entering his 12th season in the NBA. He spent the last seven years with the New Jersey Nets, where he developed into one of the league's best sixth men.
The 6-foot-5, 205-pound Harris was waived by the Nets on Sept. 15. After being cut loose, he became a high priority to the Cavaliers, who felt they needed an experienced shooter to bring off the bench.
Harris becomes the 14th player on the Cavaliers' roster (meaning two players will start the season on the injured list).
Wagner, who might not show up for training camp on time because of an ongoing court case in New Jersey, is an early candidate for a spot on the injured list.
The Cavaliers tried to convert him to a combo guard in the summer league, and the reviews weren't promising. Wagner just doesn't have point-guard skills, and because of his size, the Cavaliers think he needs to be able to give them some minutes at the "1" spot.
Cavaliers general manager Jim Paxson said the addition of Harris has given the team a legitimate backup combo guard.
"Luke (Jackson) is only a rookie, Sasha (Pavlovic) is only 20 years old and Dajuan is 21," he said. "If you want to be a playoff team, you need experienced players. We want to be a playoff team this year.
"If they come in and outperform the other players, they'll play. We didn't think we could go into the season that way. Dajuan knows what's at stake for him. You need depth. You can't let one injury take you out."
Harris played in 69 games (15 starts) last season with New Jersey and averaged 6.9 points, 2.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 21.8 minutes per game.
"Lucious brings experience and is able to play both guard spots," Paxson said. "In our meetings, we discussed Eric (Snow) and Jeff (McInnis) playing together (in the same backcourt). We were looking for a backup point guard in case one of them went down. He can be an insurance policy."
One of the Cavaliers' goals in the offseason was to improve their roster from players five through 12.
"We feel one through 14 is a deeper and more talented team," Paxson said. "We have players with experience. We have a nice blend of experience and youth. The players will decide how the minutes are distributed."
Harris is a good shooter with 3-point range.
"You have to honor him and guard him," Paxson said. "He's a guy who can shoot it, handle it and defend. He was a nice rotation player on a team that went to the (NBA) Finals two years in a row (in 2002 and '03). He's done it. We won't ask him to do more than he's done before."
Harris has played in 54 playoff games. In his 11-year career, the Long Beach State product has averaged 7.5 points and 2.4 rebounds.
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The Cavaliers hired Philip "Chico" Averbuck as the director of international scouting. He was a former scout with the Portland Trail Blazers and was the director of scouting for Peristeri Pro Basketball Club in Athens, Greece.
"Chico has a proven track record of success as a talent evaluator and is very familiar with the international game, having worked in various capacities overseas," Paxson said. "He is a great addition to our staff."
Averbuck will direct the Cavaliers' international scouting activities and supervise the evaluation of all international player personnel.
"Chico is in charge of the whole world," Paxson joked. "(Overseas scout) Rudy D'Amico will still live in Florence (Italy) and report to Chico."
The Cavaliers didn't beef up their international scouting because of the Olympics. "The Olympics were not a wake-up call," Paxson said. "It verified what we already knew."
Ticket time
Cavaliers forward Drew Gooden will draw the lucky number to determine the first fan in line to purchase Cavaliers single-game tickets. They go on sale this morning at Gund Arena. Numbered wristbands will be distributed from 7 to 9:30 a.m., with tickets going on sale at 10 a.m. Following the drawing at 9:30, fans can line up at the 18 Gund Arena ticket windows. Fans purchasing tickets at Gund Arena this morning will also receive a special Cavaliers 35th anniversary T-shirt (while supplies last).
