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Chris Andersen: 3 Potential Replacements For The Cleveland Cavaliers

By Quenton S. Albertie

Dec 23, 2014; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks center Larry Sanders (8) reaches for a rebound during the second quarter against the Charlotte Hornets at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 23, 2014; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks center Larry Sanders (8) reaches for a rebound during the second quarter against the Charlotte Hornets at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 4, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Eric Moreland (25) against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns defeated the Kings 118-97. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 4, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Eric Moreland (25) against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns defeated the Kings 118-97. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Eric Moreland

Eric Moreland is designated as the Cleveland Cavaliers’ affiliate player on  the Canton Charge, their exclusive NBA Development League affiliate team. An affiliate player, as defined by the NBA Development League, is a player that can retained by the pro team after being waived (after training camp) and immediately assigned to the team’s NBA D-League team. In the Cavs’ case, that would be the Canton Charge.

Terms like that seem like the predecessor to the NBA’s decision to expand the roster to 16 or 17 players.

(Note: these players are still technically free agents and can sign with any team.)

That’s not to say that an affiliate player on a NBA D-League team is a member of a NBA roster, just that an affiliate player would have a great chance to be a member of an expanded NBA roster.

To that point, Moreland was in training camp for the Cleveland Cavaliers this summer but was unable to participate in basketball activities as he recovered from a foot injury that he re-aggravated in April. The Cleveland Cavaliers eventually waived Moreland although they made him an affiliate player on the Canton Charge.

Moreland is a lanky defender who can put the ball on the floor and post-up with equal effectiveness on offense. Defensively, aside from his length, his mobility, motor and quick hands allow him to be a playmaker. So far this season, the 6-foot-10, 220 pound Moreland is averaging 12.7 points, 10.5 rebounds. 2.3 steals. 2.2 blocks and 1.3 blocks per game as the starting center for the Canton Charge. He’s currently fifth in rebounding percent.

If any player can replace they type of playmakers that Tristan Thompson and Chris Andersen are as mobile, athletic centers, it’s Moreland.