David Anderson getting frustrated with Hawks Mgmt.

[Blunt91]

New article from Draft Express talks about David Anderson

http://www.draftexpress.com/blog/Jonathan-...-Part-Two--3201

[cowgill]

It would be nice to have him coming off the bench next year, but I'm not holding my breath.

[WraithSentinel]

It is his fault he is not over here yet.

[mrhonline]

His concerns are valid, but it's not really "anyone's fault." Letting Knight go was the right choice, and Sund rightfully held off on signing him this season.

I think it's clear that Sund will do something with Andersen this upcoming offseason. I wish Sund would call him to reassure him that the Hawks will work toward a resolution this summer - either trading him or signing him.

David Andersen the Man for Barca, Again

In the awkwardly unnecessary 3rd/4th place game previous to the final, Barcelona managed to easily knock off a very jaded Olympiacos squad, in large part due to another terrific outing by Australian big man David Andersen, with 20 points in 26 minutes, on 8-12 shooting (3/5 3P). Although this wasn't the most competitive setting you'll find, Andersen still did a nice job showcasing his excellent skill-level, primarily in the form of his jump-shot, knocking down an array of spot-up, pull-up, turnaround and pick and pop jumpers, in the post, from 18-20 feet, and all the way out beyond the 3-point line.

After the game, we managed to catch up with Andersen in the VIP area, which gave us an opportunity to pick his brain on where he stands in terms of the NBA.

Andersen didn’t hesitate to indicate his interest in playing for the Atlanta Hawks, or any other team that might be interested in his services. He did seem a bit frustrated by the predicament he’s in, thought, with his NBA rights essentially being held hostage by the Atlanta Hawks.

“I just wish they would give me a straight answer either way. Every year it’s the same thing. If they want me, great, but if not, I would like to go play somewhere else. I can’t force the tender and go play on a non-guaranteed minimum contract, but I don’t think I’m asking for crazy money either.”

Andersen has another year on his deal with Barcelona, but has a clear NBA escape clause in his contract that that he can exercise until July 15th. That is a difficult situation for Barcelona, as they will be in serious limbo until that point—essentially the very tail end of the signing period for elite European clubs, where there will likely be few if any big men of Andersen’s caliber on the market. Barcelona has an option to buy out Andersen’s contract, and may be forced to do so if they feel like they cannot wait on the NBA to act.

What’s most unfortunate for Andersen is that he had already received assurances from former Hawks GM Billy Knight that they would bring him over to the NBA last summer, but that plan went to naught once he was fired and replaced by Rick Sund, who said he needed another year to evaluate him. The Hawks have apparently had multiple teams try to acquire Andersen in a trade, but have been reluctant to deal him for fear that he may make them look foolish in another team’s uniform. Based on the way Andersen has looked here in Berlin, that’s a legitimate possibility.

This situation really goes a long ways in emphasizing the challenges that players in Europe often face when being drafted by NBA teams in the second round, as they are essentially able to hold their rights perpetually without any recourse on the part of the players. This may be something that the NBA Players Association may want to look at in the upcoming Collective Bargaining Agreement, as it would probably be much more fair to put a three year limit in which teams can either sign their draft pick or be forced to relinquish their rights. Unfortunately the players that make up the union will likely have very little sympathy for the cause of European draftees who are essentially competing for their jobs.

[Blunt91]

It is his fault he is not over here yet.

He still has alot of NBA teams wanting his services, if we can't pay what he wants then we should trade his rights and pickup a NBA veteran.

[mrhonline]

I emailed J. Givony to ask him if he's ever spoken to Rick Sund about Andersen.

Givony has said so many negative things about the Hawks over the years, I thought it was time to point it out. :)

[gsuteke]

We really don't need a 6'10" 3 point shooter

Granted, he'd be fine to put in as a 9th man in a rotation but he shouldn't be Sund's prized acquisition this off-season.

[Kimsey]

Is David's rights worth a late first?

[mrhonline]

^^^Absolutely. He'd fit best on a playoff team.

We really don't need a 6'10" 3 point shooter

I'm pretty sure he's at least 6'11. He's a solid offensive player who would take Smith's spot on the perimeter. Think of how effective Marvin, Josh, and Al could be when the opposing teams PF or CR are 20 feet from the basket...

[ATLSmith]

This is a nice problem for the Hawks to have.

I would like to see Anderson play at least one year for the Hawks before we trade him away.

[ncthompson11]

actually i think a big man who can step away from the basket is exactly what we need. horford and zaza cant go out farther then the high post and do a good enough job down low rebounding and guarding opposing big men

[Chris18]

David Andersen is the perfect big man for our offense. He can knock down 3's and will allow Smoove, Al, and Zaza to focus on rebounding the basketball.

[Swatguy]

David Andersen is the perfect big man for our offense. He can knock down 3's and will allow Smoove, Al, and Zaza to focus on rebounding the basketball.

Hmm...A 6'10" player to allow others to rebound.

[Antmillennium]

Hmm...A 6'10" player to allow others to rebound.

:lol6:

[mrhonline]

Hmm...A 6'10" player to allow others to rebound.

The Hawks already have a 6'9 player to allow others to rebound in Smith. The difference is that Andersen can actually hit shots from the perimeter.

[mrhonline]

Got a response from Jonathan Givony with Draftexpress, by the way.

He said he felt like it was a mistake to not sign Andersen last summer. I told him that Sund did the right thing by bringing in Evans and Flip instead, but he should definitely explore the option of trading/signing Andersen this year.

[the_sheff]

We really don't need a 6'10" 3 point shooter

Granted, he'd be fine to put in as a 9th man in a rotation but he shouldn't be Sund's prized acquisition this off-season.

Id say we already have one of those, except the one we have cant shoot 3's.

[lunar]

david andersen>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>solo+morris

david+zaza=priceless

[frosgrim]

david andersen>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>solo+morris

david+zaza=priceless

+1

That is exactly the reason to sign Anderson. Solo and Morris can be non-factors on someone else's roster.

For me, Anderson can be that necessary 7th or 8th man that allows Smith and Horford to have bad nights (fouls, shot not falling, need a little rest, etc).

The second unit then starts to look much better

Law

Flip

Evans

Anderson

Zaza

Not world beaters, but that unit can score and rebound. 'Sides Aussies are known to be a bit chippy on the low block, so Anderson and Zaza will get under the opponent's skin.

Bring him home Rick Sund!

[DrReality]

If nothing else this puts the word out if there are other teams that want his services so we can make a trade. Looks like a win/win situation for us.