NBA Trade Rumors: Nuggets Big Man Chris Andersen Should Intrigue Contenders

Looking for a big man with energy to spare, rebounding and shot-blocking chops and a colorful array of tattoos?

Well then, theoretical NBA team, Chris Andersen is your man.

As is usually the case whenever we start to get close to the NBA trade deadline, it seems there are more than a few teams out there that are looking to acquire a big man. New Orleans Hornets center Chris Kaman is the big name on the trading block, but ESPN.com's Marc Stein reported on Friday that the Denver Nuggets have thrown Andersen into the mix as well.

Having recently signed Kosta Koufos to an extension, the Nuggets really have no need of Andersen seeing as how they also have Nene and Timofey Mozgov in their frontcourt rotation. Plus, Andersen's recent spike in playing time makes now a good time to deal him:

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Injuries to Nene and Mozgov have enabled Andersen to get more court time recently, but sources say that the Nuggets are open to moving Andersen prior to the deadline, as much as they'd love to have an extra big man in the playoffs.

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The Nuggets will find takers for Andersen. Obviously he's not exactly the most technically sound big man in the league, but he brings plenty of useful things to the table.

More than anything, Andersen would be a good get because of the energy he brings off the bench. He looks the part of a wild man and he plays like one. It's rarely pretty, but Andersen is always very active whenever he's out on the floor.

Andersen has proved in recent games that he can still rebound and block shots with the best of them. He pulled down nine rebounds in just 19 minutes against the Houston Rockets earlier this month and had 11 rebounds in 22 minutes against the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday. He had six blocks in 22 minutes against the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday.

Andersen's offensive repertoire is limited, but he'll put the ball in the basket as long as he's within point blank range. That's good enough.

There are more than enough contenders out there that could stand to add a big man and more than a couple of them could use an energy source on the bench. What makes Andersen appealing is not just that he could fill these needs, but that he could likely be had relatively cheaply. The Nuggets will not get top prospects or high draft picks for him. A role player or two will do.

So if a contender out there has expendable assets to spare and is looking for a big man, it should consider Andersen.