Chris Andersen’s fate for next season is still in limbo with the Miami Heat and until now, there are no takers for the 37-year-old center.
As far as the Heat is concerned, Andersen’s $5 million salary has become a cause for concern. With a loaded frontline at the moment, the Birdman could very well be sent down to the third team of the Heat and allotting $5 million seems a bit too much.
Andersen has been shopped around but to date, there are no takers. Like the Heat, most teams are apparently apprehensive at the large salary of the energetic center.
Salary aside and even at 37, Andersen can still be an asset to teams in need of a NBA veteran. One of those teams could be the Los Angeles Lakers.
Thus, Andersen could be lined up as a possible addition in case the Lakers are unable to land another target big man, JaVale McGee.
The Lakers and the Mavericks are currently vying for the services of the athletic center who has reportedly yet to cover from a lingering leg injury. If you missed it, we did report that ongoing tug-of-war for McGee here the other day.
Like McGee, Andersen could be a good addition particularly because of his defensive ability, energy and rebounding prowess. The Birdman will likely fit in coach Byron Scott’s defensive matrix despite the fact that he could very well be coming off the bench behind Roy Hibbert.
It remains to be seen if the Lakers would be willing to absorb that $5 million contract though they seem to have the budget to do so.
Should trade talks step up, players who could be likely dealt are Robert Sacre and Ryan Kelly. The players have been mentioned in trade talks before but it will be interesting if the Heat would bite. But even if they do, the two players could likely end up being waived.
Remember that the Heat’s main prerogative is to rid themselves of the players carrying big salaries. Aside from Andersen, Mario Chalmers is another player they are trying to shop.
Incidentally, the Lakers are also rumoured to be interested in Chalmers who may eventually end up adding experience and mentoring rookie D’ Angelo Russell for the coming season.
Thus, Andersen landing in Los Angeles could very well hinge on how the McGee angle turns out. With the Lakers believed to be the frontrunners for McGee, a trade involving Andersen will likely be go kaput
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