INQUIRER Sports

CLEVELAND?Anthony Parker, a swingman who has spent half of his 12-year pro career in the National Basketball Association, signed to serve as a backup to LeBron James next season.

Parker signed a deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers that will see him serve as a top reserve behind James, the NBA Most Valuable Player, or guards Delonte West and Mo Williams.

"Anthony will be a solid addition to our roster," Ferry said. "He is a very good, intelligent all-around basketball player."

The Cavaliers had the NBA's best regular-season record last season but were defeated by Orlando in the Eastern Conference finals. Since then, Cleveland added 37-year-old superstar center Shaquille O'Neal in a trade with Phoenix.

Parker, who averaged 10.7 points and 3.4 assists last season for the Toronto Raptors, played five seasons for Maccabi Tel Aviv and another with Virtus Roma from 2000-2006 before returning to the NBA.

In 290 games over six NBA seasons, Parker has averaged 10.1 points and 3.4 rebounds with Toronto, Orlando and Philadelphia.