Houston Acquires Rights to Australia's David Andersen

The Houston Rockets are calling for backup.

Can you hear them? 

This morning, Houston executed a trade with the Atlanta Hawks to acquire the draft rights to former second round pick (No. 37 overall in 2002) half-Australian, half-Danish, big man David Andersen.

The Rockets gave up a future second round pick, cash, and future considerations (as announced by Vice President/General Manager Rick Sund). 

David Andersen is a skilled power forward/center who began his professional career in 1998-99, and is currently 29 years of age. He began his career at the Australian Institute of Sports (at the nations capital of Canberraa), has played in the NBL (Australian Professional League), and most recently in the Spanish League for the team Barcelona FC. 

For the past six seasons, Andersen has been one of the best players in European basketball. As recently as the 2008/09 season, he won the Spanish League Championship as Barcelona FC's starting center, and the team made it to the Euroleague Final Four.

Prior to his time playing for Barcelona, he played for Italian team Virtus Bologna and Russian CSKA Moscow. He has won three Euroleague Championships with Virtus in 2003, and CSKA in 2006 and 2008.

He was named to the All-Euroleague First Team in 2004/2005.

Andersen also represented Australia in the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games. After Andrew Bogut, he is currently considered to be the best and most accomplished Australian basketball player in the world. 

So, what does he bring to the Rockets? 

Playing in European leagues many consider to be the second tier professional leagues after the NBA, Andersen is a multi-skilled offensive player. He possesses above average athleticism and mobility for a 7'0" frontcourt player, and has a very developed post game.

Range on his jump shot extends from mid-range to the perimeter, and he has one of the best turnaround jumpers and combination of drop-steps, pivots, and hooks in European basketball today. 

His offensive repertoire has gained him comparisons to Pau Gasol, and it is expected that he will contribute double figures in scoring in the NBA, as Houston GM said:

“David has been a winner with every team he has played for in Europe. He is a very well-rounded player who possesses good offensive skills and a very good shooting touch for a big man.”

He works the pick-and-pop game to perfection and can handle the ball and pass as well. His weaknesses began with his defense as while he is a decent rebounder, his shot-blocking skills are average, and he pays more attention to his offensive game. 

With Houston still possessing the mid-level exception of $5.7 million, look for them to use at least half of it in getting Andersen over from Spain to suit up for the Rockets come opening night.

Their current scramble to find a center after discovering Yao's injury has given them a goldmine. 

There are few centers in free agency right now with the combined length, size, offensive polish, and experience of David Andersen, and you definitely would not find a player like him with a current second round pick. 

With no true center on the roster and only three solid rotational power forwards (Chuck Hayes, Carl Landry, and Luis Scola) in addition to offensively limited sophomore Joey Dorsey, look for Andersen to come in and make his mark.

Houston has shown that they believe in you Dave, do Australia proud!