The Cleveland Cavaliers have decided to pick up the team option on Cedric Simmons even though he has only been with the team for a matter of months, but have declined to pick up the option for Shannon Brown, who was their first round draft pick last year.

Brown is having some tough luck in his young NBA career, as reported by Tom Withers of The Associated Press:

The club decided not to pick up its contract option for 2008-09 on Brown, a former first-round draft pick from Michigan State whose rookie season was slowed by injuries. The Cavs had until midnight to exercise the guard's $1.1 million salary for next season.

Brown played in just 23 games last season because of a serious leg injury. The 6-foot-4 slasher figured to get more playing time thise season, but the Cavs' signing of Sasha Pavlovic to a three-year contract and addition of rookie Demetris Nichols may have altered plans for Brown.

A few days before training camp opened, Brown was involved in a fight at a Cleveland night club. No charges have been filed related to the incident. A video filmed by a witness showed Brown pinned to the ground and handcuffed by the club's staff.

General manager Danny Ferry did chose to pick up the $1.7 million option for Simmons who was acquired in a trade with the New Orleans Hornets.

As their star, LeBron James said, the team did not make a good impression on opening night, when they were badly beaten by the Dallas mavericks.

Pavlovic's deal is reportedly for three-years and will be worth between $4 million and $5 million per season.  The team is still unsure if he will be able to play Friday night against the New York Knicks.

The Cavaliers are still trying to sign Anderson Varejao who wants $9 million a year.  The Cavs are so far only willing to offer him a deal worth $6 million a year.

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Posted by Business of Sports staff member Bill Jordan. (Visit the Biz of Football Author's Page for contact details)