RealGM has the press release
The Atlanta Hawks today traded the rights of David Andersen to the Houston Rockets for a future second round pick, cash and future considerations, it was announced by Executive Vice President/General Manager Rick Sund.
Previously selected by the Hawks in the second round of the 2002 Draft – the 37th pick overall – Andersen is an Australian professional basketball player who has played internationally since the 1998-99 season, most recently in the Spanish League with FC Barcelona.
I like David Andersen, he’s an NBA quality player, and good acquisition by the Houston Rockets. Nice pickup.
Other Links
Some more information on the transaction via the Houston Chronicle
The Rockets reinforced their injury-depleted center position Tuesday, acquiring the rights to David Andersen from the Atlanta Hawks for $2 million in cash and a protected second-round draft pick.
The Rockets expect to sign Andersen using a portion of the mid-level exception remaining after they were able to use the disabled player exception to sign Trevor Ariza.
Some reaction – Andersen’s agent — from the same article
“I see everything going smoothly,” said Andersen’s agent, Leon Rose. “We’ve had initial discussions. I do not see any issues.
“This is a great day. It’s a day he’s realizing a dream, really looking forward to coming over. He’s achieved every goal possible at the highest level in Europe. He’s looking forward to doing that in the NBA.”
More reaction – Daryl Morey + Gersson Rosas
“David is a top center in Europe who is an offensively-skilled 7-footer,” Morey said. “He has been a European champion multiple times. He is a very well-rounded player who possesses good offensive skills and a very good shooting touch for a big man. David is a versatile post player who should fit well in coach Adelman’s system.”
Andersen is considered his most effective when facing the basket. He began to show marked improvement when playing for CSKA Moscow in the 2007-08 season. He had a strong Euroleague Final Four this past season against European powers CSKA and Olympiakos, drawing renewed interest from NBA teams.
“He’s a 7-footer that is really, really skilled,” Rockets director of player personnel Gersson Rosas said. “He is a very consistent shooter from an international 3-point range that we think will translate. A lot of pick-and-pop, a lot of opportunities to spread the floor. He’s an average athlete, but a guy that runs well. He can pass out of the high post or low post. He has a strong post game, not as much back-to-the-basket. He has a lot of winning qualities. I think he’s going to have some challenges defensively, like most guys making the transition.”
And a nice optmistic article from Jonathon Feigen.
Update = Houston Sign Him
According to Marc Stein, the Rockets have signed Andersen to a three year $7.5 million contract with the final year partially guaranteed. That seems like a fair deal all round.
