Free agent swingman James Anderson has officially signed a one-year contract with Zalgiris Kaunas of Lithuania, the Euroleague announced. The move is somewhat surprising, since the former 20th overall pick was a significant part of the Sixers roster last season, having started 62 games. Tolis Kotzias of the Greek news outlet SportDay originally reported the news (Twitter link).
The 20th overall pick from 2010 departs the NBA after his strongest season in the league. He averaged 10.1 points and 3.8 rebounds in 28.9 minutes per game for Philadelphia, though his 10.9 PER demonstrates a lack of efficiency. Anderson had difficulty establishing a toehold in the league, as the Spurs declined the third-year team option on his rookie scale contract and his next two deals were minimum-salary arrangements. The Sixers acquired him when they claimed him off waivers from the Rockets last summer, but Philadelphia waived him in June before his minimum salary for the coming season would have become fully guaranteed.
The deal to play in Lithuania is the first overseas venture for the ASM Sports client. It’s unclear whether the contract will allow Anderson, 25, an avenue to return to the NBA at any point this season.