The Birdman will fly with the Miami Heat in 2014.
Multiple outlets (including Yahoo! Sports and the South Florida Sun Sentinel) are reporting that Chris "Birdman" Andersen has agreed to a one-year deal with the Heat.
The 34-year-old Andersen was one of two players from the 2012-13 team that remained unsigned. Ray Allen, Rashard Lewis, and James Jones accepted player options for 2013-14 shortly after the end of the season, while the Heat exercised a team option on point guard Mario Chalmers. Seldom-used veteran Juwan Howard is still a free agent and not expected back.
The Heat signed Andersen to a 10-day contract in January, and after another 10-day contract the team extended him through the remainder of the season. Brought in to provide energy and defense off the bench, he did not disappoint.
Playing 15 minutes per game in reserve, Andersen averaged 5 points, 4 rebounds, and a block per game. He shot an efficient 58 percent from the field, and at one point in the playoffs made 15 consecutive shots over the course of multiple games.
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Andersen was even better in the playoffs, shooting 81 percent and scoring 6.4 points per game. The Heat scored 1.50 points per possession and gave up 0.99 points per possession while Andersen was on the floor during the playoffs.
"We love Chris Andersen and we want him back," team president Pat Riley told The Associated Press in June. In addition to Andersen, the Heat have centers Joel Anthony and Jarvis Varnado on the roster to back up starter Chris Bosh.
Under league rules, teams cannot officially sign deals with free agents until Wednesday, when the salary cap and luxury tax for next season are finalized.
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