The Heat have interest in adding Pelicans power forward Ryan Anderson as an offseason signee this summer, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports. It’s unclear how much interest there is, but Jackson indicates that Miami is fond of Anderson. Anderson is making $8.5MM this season and is set to be unrestricted free agent in the offseason.
Anderson would be an intriguing addition to the Heat, especially if the team decides against re-signing Hassan Whiteside this season, which is something Jackson also reports Miami is considering. Anderson is averaging 16.7 points per game and is shooting 38.3% from beyond the arc. Therefore, he has been the subject of trade rumors regarding several teams, including the Wizards, Raptors and Pistons.
Like presumably the Heat, the Pistons’ interest in Anderson is only as an offseason signee. Anderson would likely not be a cheap sign. A source within an NBA team told Eric Pincus of the Los Angeles Times and Basketball Insiders that he expects that Anderson will be able to command a maximum-salary contract this summer. Anderson will be a veteran of eight years by the offseason, so he’d be eligible for the middle-tier max of a projected $24.9MM.