Chris Andersen Officially Re-Signs with Miami Heat

Chris Andersen has agreed to a new deal with the Miami Heat.

UPDATE: Wednesday, July 10, at 3:15 p.m. ET by Brandon Galvin

The Heat officially announced the re-signing of Andersen.

---End of update---

---Original Text---

Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports first reported the deal:

After making another triumphant return to the NBA in 2013 and helping the Heat win an NBA championship, Birdman decided to stick around for a shot at earning a second ring.

Andersen holds career averages of 5.4 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game, having spent time with both the Denver Nuggets and New Orleans Hornets prior to signing in South Beach midway through the 2012-13 campaign.

In 42 regular-season appearances, Andersen quickly became a fan favorite and helped re-energize a sluggish Heat team that clearly needed a jolt en route to their title defense.

He put up 4.9 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.0 block per game and added a vertical dimension to the Miami frontcourt.

Birdman was instrumental to the Heat’s awe-inspiring 27-game win streak, which began on Feb. 3—10 days after he joined the team—and ended on March 27.

The high-flying center wasn’t immune to controversy during his latest stint in the league, as he was suspended for Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals for an altercation with Indiana Pacers forward Tyler Hansbrough.

However, Andersen was generally able to stay out of trouble and avoided any of the issues that plagued his past. He was notably kicked out of the league back in 2006 for violating the anti-drug policy and spent over two years away from the game.

Birdman eventually made a case for reinstatement and mounted a successful comeback in 2008. He rejoined the Nuggets and a earned a five-year deal, the last seasons of which were voided via the amnesty clause in 2012.

At 35, the undrafted big man still seems to have plenty in the tank and should contribute to another deep playoff run.

Miami will certainly find out soon enough, as they have made a commitment to Andersen for the next year and will need him to contribute at a high level coming off the bench.