Miami Heat Rumors: Chris 'Birdman' Andersen Agrees To New Deal, Greg Oden Still Targeted In Free Agency

Jul 10, 2013 11:55 AM EDT
Miami Heat's Chris Andersen
Miami Heat's Chris Andersen (R) celebrates a shot against the Indiana Pacers as the Pacers' D.J. Augustin looks on during Game 7 of their NBA Eastern Conference final basketball playoff in Miami, Florida June 3."

The Miami Heat have re-signed forward Chris Andersen to a one-year deal worth approximately $1.7 million, with a player option on a second year, according to a source close to the player.

Andersen was the source of energy during the Heat's championship run last season and was reportedly sought out by three other teams, but the source said "Miami was always No. 1" after he emerged as the Heat's best big man.

He averaged 4.9 points and 4.1 rebounds off the bench in 42 regular season games and 6.4 points and 3.8 rebounds while shooting a remarkable 81 percent from the field in the postseason.

The Heat made Andersen an offseason priority as they looked to keep the little size they had to defend the paint.

Now with Andersen locked in, the Heat continue to focus on the possibility of signing free agent center Greg Oden.

Oden was the top overall pick in the 2007 NBA draft out of Ohio State and has battled numerous knee injuries and hasn't played in the NBA since Dec. 5, 2009. He is coming off his third microfracture knee surgery in February 2012.

Oden has averaged 9.4 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 82 career games and has been working out in both Columbus and Indianapolis this past offseason.

He is also to be believed to be targeted by the San Antonio Spurs, Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics and Memphis Grizzlies.

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