Cleveland Cavaliers: Eric Moreland Is Officially On Their Radar

Eric Moreland is on the Cleveland Cavaliers radar according to Fox Sports Ohio’s insider Sam Amico. Thank goodness.

NBA Development League center Eric Moreland is on the radar for the Cleveland Cavaliers according to Fox Sports Ohio’s insider Sam Amico.

If you’ve been reading King James Gospel regularly, you may have noticed there are a few articles on Moreland and his potential fit with the Cavs. To this point, I’ve been hoping that the Cleveland Cavaliers have been noticing the talent level and versatility of Moreland because with their lack of frontcourt depth, rim-protection and youth, Moreland is the perfect fit for their ball club.

Moreland has been one of the best, if not the best player on the Canton Charge this season. That includes games when rookie Kay Felder has been assigned to the Charge and came back to the Cavs playing confident and savvy basketball.

For those who may be unfamiliar with the NBA or the NBA Development League (NBADL), NBA players can be assigned to NBADL teams if they were signed to a contract. Though Moreland has never played a game for the Cavaliers, he was able to be designated as one of the Cleveland Cavaliers affiliate players as a foot injury kept him out of training camp during the offseason. As an affiliate player, the Cavs have to waive Moreland’s NBA contract and assign them to their exclusive NBA affiliate. In this case that would be the Canton Charge.

The Charge, who are coached by former Olympian Nate Reinking, try to implement terminology and schemes used by the Cleveland Cavaliers. When two-way contracts become available for players next year, this factor will be extremely important for players who sign two-way contracts  with NBA teams but spend significant time in the NBADL.

Moreland, who is 6-foot-10 and weighs 249 pounds, is an athletic and versatile frontcourt player that has the potential to be an impact player on both ends of the floor.

Offensively, he can put the ball on the floor, post-up and shoot out to the three-point line with efficiency. While still a bit raw as a passer, makes it easy to see that he was a former point guard with nifty passes to both cutters and shooters. His offensive skillset is what the Cavs would want Thompson’s to develop into. Thompson and Moreland are both 25-years-old though and Moreland has far less experience playing professionally. Moreland is a more nimble athlete, however and that likely aids his scoring ability inside.

Defensively, Moreland is excellent guarding the pick and roll. He’s able to cover both the big man and the guard effectively nearly every time and guards don’t attack the rim against Moreland much. As a weakside help defender and in straight-up man-to-man post defense, Moreland is above average. He shows great anticipation in rim-protection and strips and he works hard to get proper position in the post. He has clearly gained weight since the first time he suited up for the Charge.

Averaging 13.2 points, 11.6 rebounds (3.2 offensive rebounds), 2.9 assists, 2.2 blocks and 1.5 steals per game, Moreland fills up the box more than the average frontcourt player would.

For the Cavs, that type of player can step-in in case of an injury to a player like Thompson and give the Cavs relief that they have a reserve who can play a similar role to one of their most important players. Moreland is also a young player who the Cavs would be wise to sign so that they can add another piece to the roster that will help the franchise be successful in the future as well as the present.

Moreland is a player I really like and it seems like the Cavs do too. There’s already an open roster spot but because the team is focused on acquiring a playmaker or point guard, Chris “Birdman” Andersen being waived should be the first sign that Moreland will be signed. Moreland is eligible to sign two 10-day contracts with the Cleveland Cavaliers although there’s a chance they may sign Moreland as an insurance policy right before the NBA playoffs.

A 10-day contract would pay $53,838 to Moreland and cost the Cavs about $188,433 in luxury tax. A minimum contract would pay Moreland $980,431 and cost the Cavs about $3.4 million in luxury tax.

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Do you think the Cleveland Cavaliers should sign Eric Moreland? Let us know in the comments section or Twitter @KJG_NBA.