Chris Andersen to re-up with the Nuggets (5 yrs/$25 Mil)

[LateNightNBA]

Chris Andersen and the Denver Nuggets have reportedly reached an agreement which will pay the high-energy fan favorite $25,000,000 over a period of 5 years.

Evening update:


NBA.com Notebook: Nuggets close to re-signing Andersen (http://www.nba.com/2009/news/features/07/07/freeagency.update/)
By NBA.com staff reports
Posted Jul 7 2009 5:45PM

The Nuggets and free agent center Chris Andersen are very close to a contract extension that will keep the NBA's second-leading shotblocker in Denver on a multi-year deal. The amicable discussions have gone on since the weekend, and the new deal could be completed as early as Wednesday, after the official 2009-10 salary cap numbers are known. Those numbers, including the cap figure and the exact amount of exceptions to the cap, should be released late Tuesday.

Because Andersen does not have "Larry Bird" rights in Denver, the only way the Nuggets can re-sign him is via the mid-level exception. A source with knowledge of the discussions said Tuesday that Andersen will likely not get the full mid-level exception (this year's was $5.585 million) from the Nuggets, but that Andersen's camp was hoping to get a deal done that would pay Andersen an amount similar to the full mid-level over the life of the deal, which would be a little more than $32 million using last year's numbers.

"I think what we're trying to do is make things work for each other," the source said. "There's mutual respect between Chris and the Nuggets."

Because Denver is already perilously close to paying luxury tax next season -- the Nuggets have already committed $70 million in salaries to 10 players, including first-round pick Ty Lawson, and last year's tax threshhold of $71.15 million is likely to come down for 2009-10 -- the Nuggets are trying to back-load Andersen's deal, paying him less up front and more of the deal in the final few years.

Andersen has found a home in Denver, where he played early in his career, and where he returned last season after a brief stint in New Orleans toward the end of the 2008-09 season. He came back to the Hornets after serving a two-year suspension by the league for substance abuse, but wasn't in shape and didn't play much. Last season he came back strong, drawing a cult following in Denver for his defense and rebounding off the bench for the Nuggets. Re-signing him is their top offseason priority.

-- David Aldridge

Early Wednesday Update:
[QUOTE]
"Birdman" re-signing with Nuggets (http://www.denverpost.com/ci_12773201)
Denver retains fan favorite with five-year deal starting at $3.7 million
By Benjamin Hochman
The Denver Post

Posted: 07/07/2009 09:31:41 PM MDT
Updated: 07/08/2009 12:09:35 AM MDT

Get ready to flap your wings again. "The Birdman" is back.

Chris Andersen and the Nuggets have agreed on a five-year contract that could earn Andersen up to $26 million, the player's manager, Mark Bryant, said Tuesday night. This locks in one of Denver's most popular athletes for the next half-decade.

"We're ecstatic to stay in the community," Bryant said.

Andersen will make $3.7 million next season in his backloaded and incentive-based contract, which will help the Nuggets financially. They entered this free-agency period over the NBA luxury tax line of $69.92 million, which was announced Tuesday.

Andersen can officially sign today. He was on vacation Tuesday, his 31st birthday, and couldn't be reached to comment.

Andersen, an unrestricted free agent, had inquiries from numerous NBA teams but had said all along he wanted to return to the Nuggets. Last season, Andersen ranked second in the NBA with an average of 2.5 blocked shots and was the Nuggets' top post player off the bench. He averaged 6.4 points and a career-high 6.2 rebounds, and his colorful personality

[GOBB]

Not bad. Hopefully after getting this contract he doesnt flop.

[beasted86]

What about Klieza & Dahntay Jones?

[OneMoreSucka]

:applause:

Excellent work to backload the contract. This should be just the first move of many this off season.

[KeylessEntry]

Glad he got paid. I wonder how the nuggets will feel about paying him 8 million dollars in 5 years when he is 36 years old?

[1~Gibson~1]

:applause:

[OneMoreSucka]

What about Klieza & Dahntay Jones?
LK will likely be replaced by Grant Hill if he can be pried from the Celtics, and Jones likely won't be back.

[brwnman]

Seems like that's 5 million too many. 5 yr 20 million should've been his cap. I guess they did it as a goodwill since they paid him peanuts this year...

[Posterize246]

Glad he got paid. I wonder how the nuggets will feel about paying him 8 million dollars in 5 years when he is 36 years old?
That's what I was thinking. How long into that contract before he's no longer "The Birdman"?

[OneMoreSucka]

Glad he got paid. I wonder how the nuggets will feel about paying him 8 million dollars in 5 years when he is 36 years old?
Better than they do paying Kmart 15 mil right now.

[2LeTTeRS]

Chris Andersen and the Denver Nuggets have reportedly reached an agreement which will pay the high-energy fan favorite $25,000,000 over a period of 5 years.

The first year is said to be worth $3,000,000 and he will have $8,000,000 coming to him in the final year of the deal.

This can't be true, the maximum amount of yearly raises allowed in NBA contracts is 10.5%.

http://members.cox.net/lmcoon/salarycap.htm#Q46

[NugzFan]

:applause:

Excellent work to backload the contract. This should be just the first move of many this off season.

agreed!

[bagelred]

No link, then it didn't happen.

[NugzFan]

Glad he got paid. I wonder how the nuggets will feel about paying him 8 million dollars in 5 years when he is 36 years old?

doesnt matter. hes getting underpaid for a few and then overpaid...overall the deal is fine. id gladly pay him 8 mill in 5 years if he only costs us about 7 between 2008-2011.

besides, look at how many horrible players are overpaid in the nba. especially big men. and half of his salary is paid for by merchandise sales.

[NugzFan]

No link, then it didn't happen.

:oldlol:

[phoenix18]

Good for him. He deserves to get paid.

[GOBB]

Glad he got paid. I wonder how the nuggets will feel about paying him 8 million dollars in 5 years when he is 36 years old?

I'd bet $8mil he would be traded as an expirer.

[All Net]

Nuggets finallly make a move. Good signing

Are they going to do anything this summer?

[NugzFan]

Nuggets finallly make a move. Good signing

Are they going to do anything this summer?

how long have teams been able to sign free agents?

oh...tomorrow.

[All Net]

how long have teams been able to sign free agents?

oh...tomorrow.

There should of at least been SOME talk about them doing something this summer. The Nuggets haven't appeared to be fighting hard to keep up with the rest of the league's new additions.

[JustinJDW]

It's good that they re-signed him. He is a Defensive Beast. I don't know if it was a good idea to have all the money at the end of the contract. I mean, they are going to be paying him 8 million when he is over 35, and I don't think he will still be the Birdman at that time.

Well, it's still a good signing. I also liked how Denver traded for Ty Lawson in the Draft. I don't like Anthony Carter. They finally got a good young PG that Chauncey can take under his wing. He can be their PG of the future.

[2LeTTeRS]

There should of at least been SOME talk about them doing something this summer. The Nuggets haven't appeared to be fighting hard to keep up with the rest of the league's new additions.

They didn't have a choice, since Andersen had only played for them for 1 year they had no Bird rights for him. That basically meant if they chose to re-sign him he was going to take the majority of their MLE. Luckily at least they seemed to have found a stud on draft day, even though they started off without a 1st rounder in this year's draft.

[Richie2k6]

Good to hear.

[NugzFan]

There should of at least been SOME talk about them doing something this summer. The Nuggets haven't appeared to be fighting hard to keep up with the rest of the league's new additions.

a) just because there hasnt been talk, doesnt mean they arent doing anything necessarily (the nuggets FO doesnt leak as much info as other teams do)

b) we have no cap space anyways so all the big names are out

c) just signing players for the sake of it isnt always a good thing

d) we have a nice TE that can be used all the way until november

[OneMoreSucka]

Nuggets finallly make a move. Good signing

Are they going to do anything this summer?
Signing him was just their first priority, obviously there's more to come.

[bagelred]

still no link

[OneMoreSucka]

still no link
There's no link saying Lebron is going to NY but we all know it's gonna happen

[Rake2204]

I'm glad Chris Andersen is sticking around in Denver. He's a great fit there.

[Ty Lawson]

As a Nuggets fan I'm really happy with this contract. He'll be underpaid at just 3 million this year and it allows Denver to make another move or two this offseason. Drafting Lawson, re-signing Bird, and using the TPE on a player like Zaza Pachulia or Chris Wilcox keeps Denver up with LA in the West.

I think this is the year Carmelo becomes an MVO caliber player.

[bigkingsfan]

Nugs are banking of him being suspended in the final season. Wise move.

[MeloMike]

This makes my day.

Good contract too, back loaded. Perfect. If we could get DJ back for ~1-2 mil, I'd be happy as well.

Now just another stronger backup big, and we're set. (Thanks for nothing, McDyess)

[bagelred]

Still no link?

[OneMoreSucka]

Still no link?
Again, there's no link saying Lebron is going to NY but we all know it's gonna happen

[bagelred]

Again, there's no link saying Lebron is going to NY but we all know it's gonna happen

You're a dope.

[OneMoreSucka]

Dope like a fox...

[2LeTTeRS]

This makes my day.

Good contract too, back loaded. Perfect. If we could get DJ back for ~1-2 mil, I'd be happy as well.


All NBA contracts are backloaded, but the #s posted by the OP are not permitted by the NBA's Collective Bargaining Agreement. Again the max annual raises that can be put in a contract is 10.5%.

Year 1 - $3 mil
Year 2 - $3.315 mil
Year 3 - $3.663 mil
Year 4 - $4.048 mil
Year 5 - $4.473 mil
-------------------------
Total - $18.499 mil

http://members.cox.net/lmcoon/salarycap.htm#Q46

So the max amount the contract can be if it starts at $3 mil and lasts 5 years is approximately $18.5 mil.

[Locked_Up_Tonight]

All NBA contracts are backloaded,

Correction: most contracts are backloaded. But definitely not all.

[2LeTTeRS]

Correction: most contracts are backloaded. But definitely not all.

In the entire league there might be 5 contracts that aren't backloaded. 99% of NBA contracts are backloaded.

[beasly15]

that is one happy bastard. robbed the nuggets blind.. how do you do it anderson!:applause:

[NugzFan]

that is one happy bastard. robbed the nuggets blind.. how do you do it anderson!:applause:

uh...have you seen nba salaries or are you just an idiot? he will be making around the average...if not less which is nothing for a solid big man (especially one who blocks as well as he does). half of his salary will be paid by merchandise sales, of which there are a ton (at a recent playoff game there were more people wearing birdman stuff than all other nuggets combined). plus we got 2.25 mill (record amount) for our 2nd rounder which can go towards that. in addition, he only made like 800k last year. all in all a very fair deal. you can easily find MANY nba big men who make more and do less than bird.

btw: at least spell the guy's name right.

[bagelred]

It's not the money. It's the years. Why was it necessary to give him so many years? :confusedshrug: Especially a guy who's a little older with a history of extracurricular problems......

[ALBballer]

Anderson relies on his athleticism and energy. Giving him a long and huge contract will effect his play in my opinion since he strikes me as a guy that needs to stay focus in order to play well.

[#1SportsFan86]

The Nuggets are gonna regret giving "Birdman" that huge contract because he's one drug test away from getting kicked out the NBA.

[2LeTTeRS]

The Nuggets are gonna regret giving "Birdman" that huge contract because he's one drug test away from getting kicked out the NBA.

And if he fails that drug test and is not allowed to play he doesn't get his money, so how are the Nuggets going to regret this again?

[flipogb]

5 mill is ok, but 5 YEARS is really dumb

3 yrs 15 or 4 yrs 16 (like Turiaf) would have been ok

[#1SportsFan86]

And if he fails that drug test and is not allowed to play he doesn't get his money, so how are the Nuggets going to regret this again?

If Birdman fails another drug test then he's done in the NBA and that includes his NBA checks, the Nuggets just gave him a 5 year contract knowing he has been in trouble off the court with drugs then they turn around and give him a 5 year deal?...a 3 year deal would have been good but 5 years is way to much plus nobody knows how Birdman is gonna play after getting the BIG contract.

[Ty Lawson]

Yes, 5 years is a lot, but people need to remember that this guy has relatively fresh legs.

Missing 2 years will add some extra time to his career. This is a solid contract for a very good backup big.

[GOBB]

Birdman age isnt that relevant giving how much time he missed. I can understand the argument over the length. I can understand the argument over the amount. But I understand why and really? His contract is on par for how teams usually spend. Rarely will you see a deal where fans say "Thats right". If Denver didnt give him this another team would have.

[OneMoreSucka]

Lol@ this being stickied when nothing has been confirmed.

[New Jazzy Nets]

lets say he does get banned, is his contract still on the books or how does that work?

[OneMoreSucka]

lets say he does get banned, is his contract still on the books or how does that work?
He's not going to get banned :banghead:

[hawkfan]

Birdman age isnt that relevant giving how much time he missed. I can understand the argument over the length. I can understand the argument over the amount. But I understand why and really? His contract is on par for how teams usually spend. Rarely will you see a deal where fans say "Thats right". If Denver didnt give him this another team would have.

George Karl works his magic again with second level bigs.

Karl worked with Ervin Johnson, who went from being mediocre to being a top defender in his prime.

Now Karl has gotten Chris Anderson to play defense and rebound at a high level.

This is a good move by the Nuggets, because now they can pursue a trade of Nene or K-Mart and not have to worry about getting the same caliber of big in return.

[OneMoreSucka]

George Karl works his magic again with second level bigs.

Karl worked with Ervin Johnson, who went from being mediocre to being a top defender in his prime.

Now Karl has gotten Chris Anderson to play defense and rebound at a high level.

This is a good move by the Nuggets, because now they can pursue a trade of Nene or K-Mart and not have to worry about getting the same caliber of big in return.
Everything you said was ridiculous. Karl GOT Bird to play D? Are you kidding me? And they will not be able to trade Kmart because of his contract and why the hell would they trade the best offensive big on the team who's only 26 years old and had a career year just last year?

Stop talking. ****.

[triangleoffense]

If Birdman fails another drug test then he's done in the NBA and that includes his NBA checks, the Nuggets just gave him a 5 year contract knowing he has been in trouble off the court with drugs then they turn around and give him a 5 year deal?...a 3 year deal would have been good but 5 years is way to much plus nobody knows how Birdman is gonna play after getting the BIG contract.
another reason why the system is massively flawed. Why should athletes such as Birdman and that RB for Miami miss chunks of their career just because they smoke marijuana on occasion?

thc stays in your system the longest out of any drug. Could take up to a month for someone to get clean off pot. Coke and other drugs take a maximum for 2-3 days to get out. Thats why someone like LT who had a massive coke problem never piss tested himself out of the league.

[ProfessorMurder]

another reason why the system is massively flawed. Why should athletes such as Birdman and that RB for Miami miss chunks of their career just because they smoke marijuana on occasion?

He was on way worse stuff than pot dude.

[NuggetsFan]

Good move had to get the Bird back :applause: deal is a little long but he would have gotten it from someone else anyways.

[gts]

good deal for both birdman and the nuggets, he deserved this contract.. the length is fine because the amount is lower.. less than MLE money so he took security over cash...

but like i said good to see him get the contract, not alot of players (in any sport) have been through what he has and comeback from it as strong as he has

[Y2Gezee]

http://www.denverpost.com/ci_12773201


I'm interested in what the incentives are or how much, because I thought there would have to be some.

As for the number of years, he's not gonna be asked to be a starter for them as in they aren't gonna put too much mileage on him. And he doesn't have that many miles on those legs to begin with. I'd rather it had been 3 years, but 5 ain't killer.

[Torious]

There should of at least been SOME talk about them doing something this summer. The Nuggets haven't appeared to be fighting hard to keep up with the rest of the league's new additions.

Because, they've got about 55 mil. locked up on 4 players and I'm pretty sure the Nuggets can't pay Luxury Tax and still make a decent profit. Actually, if this contract is real (which I really doubt with those raises) it'd put them right around the Luxury Tax threshold.

Not every owner is as nuts as Mark Cuban.

[bdreason]

He's worth it.

Guy was what? 2nd in the NBA in blocks? in what? 26 MPG?

5 years does seem a little long. 3 or 4 years would have seemed more ideal... even if they had to offer a little more per year.

[triangleoffense]

He was on way worse stuff than pot dude.

Should that matter though? What he does with his own time is his own business. Is he hurting anyone? There have been people in the league that have been charged with assault, battery, even murder that have still gone on to have careers. Look at pac-man, if he wasn't completely stupid he still would have had a chance after what, his 2nd or 3rd murder charge?

[momo]

Good for birdman. Hope he stays hungry.

[mamba24]

Great keep by the nuggets...this keeps them in the contender list...now they need to get grant hill or jones and kleiza and get back to contention...

theres nothing better than a strong western conference...i love this...Spurs got better, mavs may get better if they get marion, denver should imrove, blazers will be back..lakers got artest...hopefully the hornets can stay strong and the Jazz can get Rip for boozer...thats a nice top 8 and a good playoff showing...obviously i am alaker fan but i want competition not a cake walk like the east is turning out to be...

boston, cavs and orlando and then a 20 game difference....

[ZeN]

Looove andersen's tenacity.. this is a great deal for him and the nuggz

[DCL]

just a few years ago, it wasn't even sure if he was ever going to play again, and now he gets paid BANK, by normal human standards at least.

so how's he gonna celebrate? moe drugs!

[coin24]

Love watching the birdman play.. awesome shot blocker, i think he deserves the contract:applause:

[OneMoreSucka]

It's official, 5 years 26 million, backloaded, starting at 3.7 million.

Here's your mother****ing link

http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_12773201

[Pain of Thought]

Not bad. Hopefully after getting this contract he doesnt flop.

This is a risky move for Denver. I'm not going to say Anderson isn't worth the dough, but 5 years?!?! Seems like a 3 year agreement would have been more logical. Maybe Kroenke and Warkentien are thinking of long-term ticket sales.

[NugzFan]

5 mill is ok, but 5 YEARS is really dumb

3 yrs 15 or 4 yrs 16 (like Turiaf) would have been ok

4 years is ok but 5 is 'really dumb'? :oldlol:

[goldenryan]

good player, fun to watch maybe overpayed but hey good for him. good signing.

[beasly15]

uh...have you seen nba salaries or are you just an idiot? he will be making around the average...if not less which is nothing for a solid big man (especially one who blocks as well as he does). half of his salary will be paid by merchandise sales, of which there are a ton (at a recent playoff game there were more people wearing birdman stuff than all other nuggets combined). plus we got 2.25 mill (record amount) for our 2nd rounder which can go towards that. in addition, he only made like 800k last year. all in all a very fair deal. you can easily find MANY nba big men who make more and do less than bird.

btw: at least spell the guy's name right.

How do you do it, Andersen??!!
(snuck in through the nuggets' backdoor....break-yo-self!!):lol

[shortlunatic]

great news, gald tpo hear Birdmans locked up. I disagree a little with others on the backloaded contract, but i guess thats because yall expect now that they are planning to add another piece. Hopefully it works it out.

[MeLO MvP 15]

ya and now we get around 2.2 mil for dahntay or frye or hill(not likely) and resign kleiza cuz he only gets like 3.7 mil dis year

[OneMoreSucka]

ya and now we get around 2.2 mil for dahntay or frye or hill(not likely) and resign kleiza cuz he only gets like 3.7 mil dis year
I'm hoping NY will still be willing to do Kleiza for Lee :rockon:

Then we can go out and get Matt Barnes for pretty cheap, who plays better D and shoots better than LK. :pimp:

[shortlunatic]

I'm hoping NY will still be willing to do Kleiza for Lee :rockon:
Then we can go out and get Matt Barnes for pretty cheap, who plays better D and shoots better than LK. :pimp:

i didnt even know that was a possibility...

[OneMoreSucka]

i didnt even know that was a possibility...
It was going to go down mid season last year but Denver backed out of it

[04mzwach]

Three years is what I would of signed him for, but if he sells jerseys and other merchandise throughout his 5 years then I guess it would be worth the long term deal.

[flipogb]

In the entire league there might be 5 contracts that aren't backloaded. 99% of NBA contracts are backloaded.
yup, and I think the one everybody knows about that it frontloaded is Hinrich's contract

[gaz1332000]

Definitely worth it a solid investment for a high energy guy

[sirkeelma]

Who is Chris Andersen :roll:

[LateNightNBA]

Who is Chris Andersen :roll:
Don't follow the NBA much?

[dafunkphenom]

Smart to re-up with a championship contender.

[1~Gibson~1]

Who is Chris Andersen :roll:
http://nbcsportsmedia3.msnbc.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/060127/060127_Andersen_vmed_10p.widec.jpg

[LJJ]

I guess Varejao getting 50 (yes: FIFTY) million sheds a new light on this eh?

[NugzFan]

Who is Chris Andersen :roll:

if you are serious, you look really stupid right now.

if you are being sarcastic, you still look pretty stupid.

[shortlunatic]

Who is Chris Andersen :roll:

:roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

[Maniak]

Hes overworked and underpaid.

[Arti]

Andersen is one of my 5 favorite NBA players