Sources: Cavs agree to deal with Chris Andersen
Free agent Chris “Birdman” Andersen agreed to a one-year, veteran’s minimum deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers, league sources told The Vertical.
To clear the roster spot for Andersen, the Cavaliers sent center Sasha Kaun and cash to Philadelphia on Friday. The Sixers plan to waive Kaun, league sources said.
Cleveland also gets a $1.33 million traded-player exception for the Kaun deal, a source said.
Andersen and LeBron James played two seasons together with the Miami Heat from 2012-14, and the franchise had James’ strong support to bring Andersen back to the Cavaliers.
Andersen gives the Cavaliers another strong rebounder and active defender off the bench.
Cleveland lost center Timofey Mozgov to the Los Angeles Lakers in free agency.
Andersen, 38, finished the 2015-16 season with the Memphis Grizzlies, where he played 20 games, starting 14, and averaged 18.3 minutes. In 14 NBA seasons – which were stalled by a two-year ban for violations of the NBA’s substance-abuse policy – Andersen has had stops in New Orleans, Denver, Miami and Memphis.
