Cleveland Cavaliers sent its injured center Chris Andersen to Charlotte in exchange for the second-round daft picks. However, the Hornets draft picks will likely be at the bottom of second round.
The trade was announced Monday, Feb. 13 by GM David Griffin, CBS Sports reported. In return for Chris “Birdman” Andersen, the Cavaliers will get the top-55 protected second-round picks in 2017 NBA Draft from the Hornets. The draft picks will certainly be near the bottom of second round.
This deal looks unconvincing to Cavaliers, because the team does not receive an excellent draft pick. However, the trade of Andersen has freed-up a space in the roster for the backup point guard that is desperately needed by the Cavs. The trade has successfully created a spot for new player as cheaply as possible, according to Cleveland.com.
Cavaliers is in desperate need to find a backup point guard to create the depth in the back court. The team considers its other point guards are not up to the required standards to back main point guard Kyrie Irving . Currently, the Cavs has Kay Felder and DeAndre Liggins as backup point guards.
As for Charlotte Hornets, the trade is also taken to clear a spot in its roster. The team is not willing to risk an aging and injured center in the roster. Charlotte Hornets immediately waives Andersen, as soon as the trade deal has been finalized.
The Hornets then re-signed center Mike Tobey in the second 10-day contract. The 22-year old center signed his first 10-day contract on Feb. 3, 2017. However he has never been on the rotation as the Hornets uses Mike Kaminsky and Cody Zeller as main center with Miles Plumlee as the backup.
Andersen is a 16-year veteran in the NBA since he first signed with Denver Nuggets in 2001. The 38-year-old player has won one NBA championship with the Miami Heat in 2013. He signed with Cavaliers in July 2016 but suffer a season ending injury in December.
Watch the preseason media day interview with Andersen below:
