Hoops

David Andersen a Rocket

Boguts twitter

Andrew Bogut: Congrats 2 my National Teamate David AndersEn. Rumors is he is signing w/Houston. Im happy for him cause I know how much he wanted it! Yesterday

BA have jumped on this breaking news and have actually been in contact with Andersen who is on holiday in Melbourne and since posted a news update. Here is a grab: Ive spoken with the coach and the general manager and theyre all excited about me coming in and this is why the main deal was done, so things are going ahead and theyre just sorting out the particulars of the contract, Andersen said. I should get something signed and sealed in the next few days. Obviously to replace Yao is probably impossible because hes such a big guy and such a good player, so Ill just try to step in and help the team out and hopefully get an opportunity to play some good minutes. Training camp doesnt start until September some time so realistically they wont start until then but Ill probably be heading over there in the next ten days or so to do the signing, meet everyone, do the medicals and the press stuff. Andersen described the opportunity to play in the NBA as a dream come true, even if he may have to take a pay cut to do it. You grow up looking at the NBA as the pinnacle of basketball and Ive always had ambitions to play there. Ive had a great time in Europe and played with some of the best clubs around there, so its been really good, and now Im going to try to take on the challenge of playing in the NBA. For me to go to the NBA Im taking a slight financial hit because Ive been playing for one of the best teams in the world and Ive been taken care of very well, but Im not going to be struggling. Who knows, if I do well in my first few years over there then maybe I can get lucky and land a big contract. Full story and audio: <a href="http://linky.com.au/ufm61" target="_blank">http://linky.com.au/ufm61</a>

It will be interesting to see if they can tempt DA to come to the US given the likely pay cut he would have to take. But you wouldn't think Houston would trade for his rights unless they thought they had a legit shot at signing him for next season!

Hope it happens, would be interesting to see how DA's shooting game goes in the NBA. Might be a bit of a Vlad Rad - but with better bulk and less mobility?

That means they still have their full MLE. They have lost both Yao and Mutumbo so desperately need depth at centre. The only reason for this move is they intend to sign him as a backup, and are willing to pay enough to make it worth his while.

Agree with DJ Rod...I think he will be signed to a 1 or 2 year deal that matches his Euro salary. Yao will be lucky to be fit to play even 1 game next season. He will play 15-20min a game as a back up PF and will provide them with some value with his perimeter shooting.

The reason DA didnt go to Atlanta had nothing to do with whether they were a contender or not. They were only willing to ever offer him a rookie wage and he was never going to take a pay cut from $3 million Euro a year down to $500,000 or $600,000 USD.

OMG now Andersen can help Newley get on board too, and then once T-Mac and Yao go down they should trade for Mills and Jawai. They would be awesome cos they played well at Olympics and in china.