Cavs send Andersen to Hornets, free up roster spot

The Cleveland Cavaliers have opened up a roster spot and saved money by pulling their second trade in as many months.

The Cavs announced Monday they have traded injured center Chris Andersen and cash considerations to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for a protected second-round draft pick.

Andersen - who signed a one-year minimum contract with the defending champion Cavs in July - appeared in just 12 games this season before suffering a season-ending knee injury.

The Cavs, who acquired Kyle Korver in January and signed forward Derrick Williams to a 10-day contract last week, now once again have an open roster spot to play with as they continue their search for a backup point guard. The Andersen trade also saves the team a bit of cash on its historically expensive luxury tax bill.

According to ESPN's Dave McMenamin, the second-rounder Charlotte moved to Cleveland is a 2017 pick that's top-55 protected, meaning it's unlikely the Hornets will actually sacrifice anything to help Cleveland free up a roster spot.