Cavaliers targeting Andersen to bolster bench
The Cleveland Cavaliers are looking to shore up their bench for next season by targeting one of LeBron James‘ old championship pals from Miami: Chris Andersen.
Cavs coach Tyronn Lue broke the news during an interview with NBA TV on a Las Vegas summer league broadcast Friday. A team source told ESPN the Cavs are “working on it” in regards to signing the 6-foot-10 big man, who turned 38 this week.
“Not done at all,” the source said.
Cleveland has part of the mini midlevel exception remaining to dangle Andersen’s way, after using the bulk of it to re-sign Richard Jefferson this week. It also can try to acquire Andersen by offering a veteran’s minimum contract because of the Cavs’ position as a tax-paying team.
Andersen averaged 4.6 points and 4.5 rebounds in 20 appearances with Memphis last season.
He would give the Cavs an experienced center to back up Tristan Thompson in the wake of Timofey Mozgov signing with the Los Angeles Lakers as a free agent this week.
