Miami Heat's Chris Andersen (L) defends against Atlanta Hawks' Al Horford in one of the team's recent preseason games. (Photo : Getty Images)
Miami Heat's veteran center-forward Chris Andersen is the subject of NBA trade rumors once again after head coach Erik Spoelstra chose to use him sparingly, only one game and 10 minutes to be exact so far, as the two-time champions begin their 2015-2016 campaign.
Andersen, 37, only suited up in the Heat's fourth game of the season, a 98-92 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday, after being inactive in their first three, where he only played 10 minutes, scoring three points and grabbing four rebounds in a reliable effort.
Miami currently has a stacked frontcourt following the return of Chris Bosh, the signing of veteran Amar'e Stoudemire, and the emergence of 26-year-old big man Hassan Whiteside last season.
The Sun Sentinel reported that Coach Spoelstra confirmed the Heat will not suit up all its centers every night, saying that it will "depend on the game" or who the team will be facing.
"That's something I've already talked to the guys about, that we won't necessarily suit up all the centers," the two-time champion head coach told reporters during a recent interview. "We want that lineup to work together to be a positive. And that's always the challenge, and then find solutions why it didn't happen that way."
"We just have to put it together, where everybody's a positive," he ended.
With Andersen's $5 million salary heavy on the Heat's cap, several trade rumors linking him to different teams although there are no confirmed reports yet of any negotiations involving the former Blinn standout.
Heat Nation noted that Miami "should not trade" The Birdman this season because of Stoudemire's unstable "durability". So far, Whiteside is starting at center while Stoudemire is his primary backup, leaving Andersen third in the Heat's pecking order in the middle.
