Andersen, who is battling calf and toe injuries, will not play in Saturday's preseason game against New Orleans, the South Florida Sun Sentinel's Ira Winderman reports. This seems to be a precautionary move by Miami; there have not been any indications that any of Andersen's injuries are more than minor ailments. The Heat's next preseason contest comes Tuesday against Orlando.

Andersen continues to deal with calf and foot injuries and is questionable for Saturday's preseason game against the Pelicans. Being the veteran that he is, Andersen won't need a lengthy preseason workload to prepare for the regular season. Even so, the Heat will be hoping that his multiple injuries won't linger into the regular season because the 36-year-old will be needed off the bench on a daily basis.

Andersen did not participate in Wednesday's team scrimmage due to a sore calf, Joe Goodman of the Miami Herald reports. Chalk this up as minor soreness for Andersen, who likely would have taken the court had this been a regular season game. The ailment is not expected to adversely affect his availability heading into exhibition contests.

Andersen is working on a mid-range jump shot as a surprise element in the Heat's offensive attack, the Sun-Sentinel's Shandel Richardson reports. He has been working on jumpers from the elbow and the baseline, because at the age of 36, Andersen doesn't want to be reliant on scoring solely on dunks and put-backs. Even if Andersen is able to consistently make those mid-range shots, it's not like the Heat are going to make him a big part of the offensive attack. For fantasy purposes, the hustle stats are still the main source of his limited value.

Chris Andersen's contract with the Heat is worth $10.4 million over two years. It's also fully guaranteed, which makes it a very nice haul for the 36-year-old big man. He averaged 6.6 points on 64.4 percent shooting last season, adding 5.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in under 20 minutes per game, which wasn't quite enough for value in typical fantasy leagues.

The Heat are reportedly "nearing [a] deal" with free agent Chris Andersen, according to Adrian Wojnarowski. Pat Riley lost LeBron James in free agency but he's done an admirable job keeping the rest of his team's core intact, while adding Josh McRoberts and Luol Deng to fill out the roster. Birdman has also been pursued by the Cavaliers and it's not a done deal that he'll return to South Beach, but all signs point in that direction.

The Cavs and Chris Andersen are in talks according to Fox Sports Ohio. Andersen obviously has the history with LeBron and the Cavs don't exactly have a deep frontcourt. Considering the Birdman is a serviceable backup for any playoff contender, he might have a few suitors come out of the woodwork in the next 24 hours.

With LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade all set for an apparent return to the Heat, Chris Andersen could be an odd man out for Miami next year. Mario Chalmers is in the same boat as Andersen, while guys like Ray Allen, Udonis Haslem and possibly James Jones appear likely to return to the team. The Heat are hoping to add at least one more big name this summer, with Carmelo Anthony, Kyle Lowry, Marcin Gortat and Trevor Ariza being some early targets. Simply put, Chalmers and Andersen are probably going to get bigger offers than the Heat will be able to handle.

Chris Andersen will opt out of the final year of his contract and enter free agency. The Heat got a little more than they bargained for with the Birdman. Andersen averaged 6.6 points, 5.3 boards and 1.3 blocks on 64.4 percent shooting in his 72 regular season games, so they may want to bring him back on a multi-year deal.

Chris Andersen (bruised thigh) was limited to conditioning work during Tuesday's practice. Andersen returned to action vs. the Pacers on Friday, scoring nine points and grabbing 10 rebounds in just 13 minutes of action, but he missed Monday's practice and his status is now somewhat uncertain for Game 1 of the Finals. His inactivity is likely just a precaution and he could return to the court as soon as Wednesday's practice.