The Cavaliers have been “aggressively” exploring ways to clear the contract of Chris Andersen from their books, according to Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders. Andersen, who is out for the season with a torn ACL, is on a minimum salary deal, but moving him would allow Cleveland to open up a roster spot and create additional savings on the team’s projected tax bill.
Although the Cavaliers have been mentioned in some intriguing trade rumors involving star players like Carmelo Anthony, Cleveland is more focused on bolstering its bench. According to Kyler, the Cavs are prioritizing adding a point guard and a big man for depth purposes.
Here are a few more items of interest from around the NBA, via Kyler’s report:
- On Monday night, several reports indicated that the Sixers and Pelicans were discussing a possible swap of Jahlil Okafor for Alexis Ajinca and a 2018 first-round pick. However, a source tells Kyler that Philadelphia may not be on board with that specific framework, preferring to put Jrue Holiday in the deal rather than the future first-rounder. The two teams continue to talk, but both sides are exploring other options as well, writes Kyler.
- We’ve heard in the past that the Nets are seeking two first-round picks in any Brook Lopez deal. Kyler says that the team is specifically seeking a lottery pick in 2017, plus an additional future first-rounder. It seems unlikely that any team will meet that asking price, but Brooklyn appears content to wait until at least the offseason to get serious about moving Lopez.
- There’s a “growing sense” that the Kings might move Darren Collison, as well as Kosta Koufos, by the trade deadline, per Kyler.
- Kyler identifies Nikola Vucevic, Serge Ibaka, Jeff Green, and C.J. Watson as Magic players that may be on the move this month, though he notes that Orlando’s asking prices remain high. Kyler’s sources suggest that Toronto would be a favorable long-term situation for Ibaka, but there’s no indication that the big man would be willing to sign with the Raptors long-term, or that the Raps would give up “meaningful assets” for Ibaka.
Would Phoenix entertain a 1 for 1 swap of Lopez for their 2017 1st round pick
And as far as the Sixers pelicans go
I don’t think they should do Holiday for Okafor considering they could lose Holiday at years end
What about Okafor and McConnell for Holiday and 2018 1st?
Noel, ilyasova and McConnell for 2018 first rounder and 2017 first rounder.
Then deal the first rounder(s) and okafor for the Brooklyn pick
Sixers pick one of the elite point guards in the draft and make a run at jrue holiday in free agency
This doesn’t make sense because Noel isn’t worth the 2017 pick, and the talks were centered on Okafor because he’s offensive minded.
Noel has way more value than Okafor. Noel is a rim protector. Hence the reason the sixers are tying to unload Okafor. Noel has shown good promise recently. Okafor has no value, and this nonsense about his offensive game? He’s averaging 3 pts more than Noel in way more minutes. Both of em have been busts thus far, but again at least Noel is a rim protector.
Hahahaha hahahaha
Embiid saric Simmons holiday and fultz/smith/monk/ball or fox could fill this spot. Hypothetically josh Jackson could go here too
If he’s on a minimum salary deal and the Cavs fill that roster spot, how would they find any relief at all from their pending tax bill? I can understand wanting to fill the roster spot with a player who can contribute, but the tax relief angle makes no sense to me.
As opposed to just cutting him and then signing someone else to a minimum salary deal.
They only pay one minimum deal on the tax bill instead of two.
I’m not as familiar with NBA salary rules as I should be… If they replace a minimum salary player with another minimum salary player, how are they gaining? Thanks for your comments!
Releasing a minimum salary player means they’ll still be on the hook for his salary (+ tax hit), since he has a guaranteed contract. Trading him would transfer that cap hit to another team. As you say, the Cavs would still have to pay the salary + tax hit for any replacement player, but if they were to trade Andersen, they’d only be on the hook for one guy instead of two.