David Anderson to Toronto Raptors

Thanks to Mookie from A Stern Warning, I've just found out that Aussie David Andersen has been traded to the Toronto Raptors. With Yao Ming likely to return to the Rockets this season, the trade is probably a good one for Andersen especially now that Hedo and Bosh are no longer in Toronto.

David could see some minutes in a young inexperienced Raptors team looking to make a fresh start. I was pleased for him with his production in Houston and while he didn't set the world on fire, he was never meant to and delivered liked a professional should.

For more perspective on the trade, check out Mookie's write-up here.

Houston Rockets trade center David Anderson to Toronto Raptors - ESPN

HOUSTON -- The Houston Rockets have traded center David Andersen to the Toronto Raptors for cash and a future second-round draft pick.

The 6-foot-11 Australian averaged 5.8 points and 3.3 rebounds in 63 games last season, his first in the NBA. Andersen helped fill the void for Houston while Yao Ming sat out last season with a foot injury. Yao is expected to return healthy this season, and the Rockets signed free-agent center Brad Miller to back him up.

The Rockets acquired Andersen's rights from the Atlanta Hawks last July, not long after Yao announced he would have foot surgery and probably miss the 2009-10 season.

Andersen was a second-round draft choice of the Hawks in 2002. He had previously played in Europe, most recently in the Spanish League with FC Barcelona.

David Andersen in the NBA?

As one of my friends put it in an e-mail: "This is actually a small blip on the sportswire, but pretty good news for Aussies".

After the bad news last week regarding Patty Mills and his broken foot, any news about Aussies getting a chance in the NBA brings excitement. David Andersen has earned a lot of respect for the numbers he puts up and his performances in Europe so with Yao Ming likely out for the season, he could get a chance to play some decent minutes for the Houston Rockets.

The Rockets likely won't be good this year, but from Andersen's point of view that's not such a bad thing as it should give him a chance to get some playing time. Fingers crossed!

Hawks trade rights of F-C Andersen to Rockets - NBA - Yahoo! Sports

ATLANTA (AP)—The Atlanta Hawks traded the rights to forward-center David Andersen to the Houston Rockets on Tuesday for an undisclosed second-round draft choice, cash and future considerations.

The 6-foot-11 Andersen was a second-round draft choice of the Hawks in 2002. He has spent his professional career in his native Australia and in Europe, most recently in the Spanish League with FC Barcelona.

The Rockets have been scrambling to find a center since the team announced last month that Yao Ming(notes) was out indefinitely with a hairline fracture in his left foot.

Andersen averaged 11.1 points and 4.1 rebounds to help FC Barcelona win the 2008-09 Spanish National Championship and a berth in the Euroleague Final Four. Andersen was a member of Euroleague championship teams with Virtus Bologna (2001) and CSKA Moscow (2006 and 2008).

“David has been a winner with every team he has played for in Europe,” Rockets general manager Daryl Morey said. “He is a very well-rounded player who possesses good offensive skills and a very good shooting touch for a big man.”

Andersen played for Australia in the 2004 and 2008 Olympics.