When a general manager has to cut ties with a hardworking player it’s never easy.  Especially someone who tirelessly does work in the community and shows an admirable work ethic that’s high even at the professional level.

The day the Boston Celtics announced they would be going in a different direction with power forward Leon Powe was a melancholy one.  Powe, who was so integral in the 2008 NBA Finals as a hard-nosed rebounder and low post scorer, really showcased the heart and gritty toughness every team needs in order to hoist the Larry O’Brien trophy come mid-June.

On Wednesday, the Cleveland Cavaliers decided Powe was worth the league minimum and could eventually contribute in their pursuit of a first NBA Championship.

Leon Powe is more than a gutsy role-player; he’s a symbol of determination. Just weeks after his mother died of a sudden heart attack at the young age of 41, Powe tore his left ACL in an AAU tournament while still in high-school.

Unfortunately, it was not the last time he would stare down the devastating injury.

While a sophomore at the University of California, Powe was forced to undergo surgery on the same knee two more times, causing him to miss the season after a freshman year that saw him lead the PAC-10 in rebounding.

Even though his play on the court was extremely impressive as a junior when he averaged 20.5 points and 10.1 rebounds per game, Powe saw his draft position plummet to the second round where he was eventually plucked by the Denver Nuggets with the 49th overall pick and subsequently traded to Boston.

While showing brief struggles defensively with the Celtics difficult scheme during the 2007-08 Championship run, Powe was one of the most efficient scorers from 10 feet in that the team had.

The following year, after a season ending injury to Kevin Garnett allowed Powe to duke out a starting position with Glen Davis; he ended up tearing his ACL and meniscus yet again in Game 2 of the eventual historic first round playoff series against Chicago.

The Celtics gave up on him shortly after and Powe was back on his familiar, lonely road to recovery once again.  While Boston went out and re-bolstered their front court with the big name of Rasheed Wallace and Shelden Williams, the other Eastern Conference contender in Cleveland swooped in and decided to take a fly on Powe, who after recently having successful surgery won’t be ready to contribute until after the All-Star break.

For the Celtics, this is a worst-case scenario.  Had he signed with the Clippers, Bobcats or Hornets, Powe’s comeback story would be fine to admire from the outside without having to directly deal with him come playoff time.  Unfortunately he signed with a team that will most likely cross paths with Boston.

As a Celtic, Powe averaged 6.6 points and 4.2 rebounds which are seemingly unimpressive numbers, but what be brought to the team couldn’t be personified with statistics.  Every team could use a player like Leon Powe and the Celtics just might live to regret giving up on the 25-year-old talent.

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