NBA Rumors: Is Chris Anderson a Smart Addition for Contenders?
But for a few odds and ends that could interest bargain shoppers, the vast majority of free-agent purchases have already been made this summer.
Though there's little of significant value still available, there remain a handful of role players who could add depth to a second unit. That's presumably the thought process behind taking a look at a guy like center Chris "Birdman" Anderson.
ESPN's Jared Zwerling reports that a few organizations are apparently doing just that:
"Chris Andersen has received some offers from NBA teams. He does have a favorite team he wants to play for, but his reps won't say just yet.
— Jared Zwerling (@JaredZwerling) August 13, 2012"
With contenders like the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics relatively thin at the center position, is Anderson worth a look?
It might not be the best idea, and not just for the obvious aesthetic reasons.
Anderson came under FBI investigation in May when an "Internet Crimes Against Children unit" raided his Colorado home.
The former Denver Nugget may, of course, be guilty of absolutely nothing. His representatives released a statement suggesting that he was nothing more than the target of a young woman's extortion plot.
Now several months later, Anderson hasn't been charged with a crime, so perhaps he's truly innocent. Nevertheless, even the risk of a lingering headache could be more trouble than it's worth with this guy.
He was temporarily kicked out of the league in 2006 for drug use, making the much-tattooed center no stranger to controversy. That's the last thing a team in the title hunt needs at the moment, even if it does mean foregoing a slightly above-average big man.
The 6'10'' forward/center is a solid rebounder who scores most of his points around the basket. He'll turn in some impressive dunks and a stellar shooting percentage you'd expect therewith, but he won't do much else for a team on the offensive end.
However, unless his off-the-court concerns decisively steer suitors away (and they haven't according to Zwerling), the Birdman will find somewhere to roost.
His efficiency, rebounding and defensive contributions earned him an impressive 18.97 player efficiency rating, and organizations in need of additional size could be easily sold on those merits. And numbers aside, Anderson's mobility and explosiveness in the painted area will similarly generate interest.
They just shouldn't garner too much interest from any serious contenders.
Someone like Anderson may be well worth the risk for a team needing to gamble a bit in pursuit of the postseason, but he's not the solution for an established franchise in need of locker-room chemistry as much as anything else.
In Boston, he'd simply stunt the development of rookie Fab Melo, and it's hard to see him fitting into the championship culture that both the Heat and Celtics pride themselves. You can almost certainly rule out the Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder for similar reasons.
Lesser teams have less to lose.
Yes, Anderson deserves a chance. We never heard any complaints out of head coach George Karl in Denver, and Anderson may indeed be the perfect teammate.
But, because risk-reward analyses are never an exact science, buyers in search of rings should still beware.
