David Anderson has a buy out clause for 09-10

[coachx]

http://news.smh.com.au/sport/boomers-ander...80624-2w4x.html

Boomers' Andersen still has NBA hopes

Email Print Normal font Large font June 24, 2008 - 7:39PM

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The NBA is still on the cards for Australian basketball standout David Andersen, but right now his focus is solely on helping the Boomers win a breakthrough medal at the Beijing Olympic Games.

Along with Milwaukee Bucks centre Andrew Bogut, Andersen will be a key part of Australia's team at the Olympics in August.

The 212cm big man has just signed a three-year deal with European power Barcelona, having decided to leave Russian club CSKA Moscow after helping them to two Euroleague titles and four Russian championships in four remarkably successful seasons.

NBA club Atlanta holds Andersen's NBA rights after drafting him back in 2002 and the Australian is considering joining Bogut in the United States for the 2009-10 season.

But he is heavily committed to the Boomers' cause, leading him to quickly agree a deal with Barcelona so his immediate future is secure and he can link up with Australia for their crucial European tour.

Coach Brian Goorjian's team fly to Europe on Sunday, where they will join up with Andersen and Matt Nielsen for games against Croatia, Greece, Brazil and Angola.

"One of the reasons I'm so happy about signing with Barcelona is that it allows me to join the Boomers on their European tour," Andersen said.

"We need to get things going with the national team to get our playing style set and our execution smoother.

"Doing as well as I can with the Boomers is now my priority and I can't wait to join the guys in Europe."

Andersen is being rested from the two-game series against New Zealand starting this Thursday so Goorjian can get a look at some of the players still battling for an Olympic berth.

The 28-year-old Andersen has already shown his commitment, returning home last year to help a very understrength Boomers team beat the Kiwis to ensure Olympic qualification.

Andersen's name will be one of the first Goorjian puts forward to the Australian Olympic Committee on July 2.

"We've got great competition over there which will make us more competitive in Beijing," Goorjian said.

"Dave is obviously one of our best players and having him in Europe will really help."

After Beijing, Andersen has committed to spending the coming season with Barcelona.

But he has an out-clause in his contract to join Atlanta if they are prepared to match the multi-million dollar deal he has signed in Italy.

"I'll be with Barcelona after the completion of the Olympic Games," he said.

"If Atlanta comes to the plate, I do have NBA out-clauses with my contract and I could go there after my first or second year."

© 2008 AAP

[Admin]

That makes me happy to hear. I don't see him as a savior but I can definitely see him playing a role for us. Hope he stays healthy and keeps his desire to play here for another year.

[NJHAWK]

At the very least that could make him trade bait after next season. We would all do just as well to forget this guy though.

[txsting]

Good find. I think it has become clear that ASG is going to avoid the luxury tax, and really, that's ok with me for now. It would be different if we were already a 52 win team and needed a push over the top....then I need my ownership to bite the bullet. But not yet.

It really does sound to me like the Hawks did their due diligence in trying to get it done with DA, but we just don't have the money this year. Next year could be a different story depending on what we do with Bibby and Zaza. It's certainly possibly we could free up $5M or whatever if we made it a priority. Or of course he should be a pretty valuable trading chip....I'll still be very interested to watch him in the Olympics.

Can anyone find what DA's contract looks like with Barcelona? That's the size salary hole we are going to need.

[TheTruth]

Interesting. I personally dont think DA will ever play for us in a Hawks uni, but that is just my gut feeling--I do hope I am wrong though. He is already 28 years old and has established himself quite well overseas. We still hold his rights, but I just dont see us ponying up that kind of money for him as a 30 year old. His rights will likely be traded at some point.

[Wurider05]

Quote:

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Interesting. I personally don't think DA will ever play for us in a Hawks uni, but that is just my gut feeling--I do hope I am wrong though. He is already 28 years old and has established himself quite well overseas. We still hold his rights, but I just dont see us ponying up that kind of money for him as a 30 year old. His rights will likely be traded at some point.

I really feel that the boat has sailed on this guy. he will probably try to come over once his knees are shot.

[coachx]

Quote:

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Interesting. I personally dont think DA will ever play for us in a Hawks uni, but that is just my gut feeling--I do hope I am wrong though. He is already 28 years old and has established himself quite well overseas. We still hold his rights, but I just dont see us ponying up that kind of money for him as a 30 year old. His rights will likely be traded at some point.

Possibly.

However, alot has to happen after we resign the Joshes (I hope ).

Bibby, ZaZa, and Marvin expire after next season giving us around $25 mill in cap space. (Plenty to bring DA over ) I hope we just let ZaZa expire and use his salary for David Anderson's + some change.

or

We could trade some or all or some of the expiring contracts for players with guaranteed years meaning no cap room.

With James, Wade, and Bosh etc. having the option to opt out of their deals we could be major players (but run the risk they sign with another team)

or

We could trade expiring contracts for player we are guaranteed to have.