The Heat signed Chris Andersen to a one-year contract with a player option attached. Andersen's deal will start at $1.7 million next season. Depending on how his 2013-14 campaign goes, it wouldn't be surprising to exercise that option next summer. Andersen is a solid piece for the Heat's bench but has very minimal fantasy value at the moment.

Chris Andersen will re-sign Chris Andersen to a one-year deal, league sources tell Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski. Birdman said he wanted to return and the Heat wanted him back, so this should come as no surprise. Terms weren't immediately available, but they should come in a little higher than the veteran's minimum. Andersen should provide the Heat with some solid defense, rebounding and energy off the bench.

Chris "Birdman" Andersen wants to re-sign with the Heat. This is what we already knew, but it's worth noting again. "He put it clearly," Andersen's agent said. "He absolutely wants to come back." Andersen's return largely depends on what Miami offers him in free agency as he's certain to get other offers after how he helped Miami this year.

Impending free agent Chris Andersen is hopeful to return to the Heat. Andersen proved to be a valuable piece for the height-starved Heat, providing a defensive presence and energy off the bench. The Heat only have a $3.183 million mid-level exception available for free agents, and it's unclear how much of that they'll want to use on the Birdman. It's unlikely they can have him and Greg Oden.

Chris Andersen is expected to be back in the rotation for Tuesday's Game 6. Andersen did not play at all in Games 4 or 5 as Mike Miller started and Udonis Haslem came off the bench. With the Heat back in front of their home fans and needing a big spark as they face elimination, expect Birdman to get the call for some energy off the bench. Coach Erik Spoelstra still hasn't revealed his starting five.

Chris Andersen, who was suspended for Game 6, is expected to play in Game 7 on Monday. This is just a reminder that Andersen will be back in the Heat rotation after watching the Game 6 loss on television. The Heat need Birdman to flap his wings and present a challenge for Indiana's big men.

Chris Andersen said he has no regrets about the Game 5 foul that got him suspended for Saturday's Game 6. When asked about the Flagrant-2 foul on Tyler Hansbrough, Andersen said simply, "It is what it is, bro." How poetic. Andersen was originally called for a Flagrant-1 foul and was not ejected after the play, which was clearly a mistake in hindsight. Joel Anthony is expected to replace most of Andersen's minutes, although Mike Miller and Shane Battier will likely pick up a few extra minutes as well.

Chris Andersen will be suspended for Saturday's Game 6 after laying a hit on Tyler Hansbrough in Game 5. It was clearly a mistake in officiating to not toss Andersen in Game 5, who continued to push the Pacers around all game long -- and that aggression was certainly a factor in Miami getting control of the game. The technical foul assessed to Hansbrough on that play was rescinded, too. Look for Miami to ask Joel Anthony, Mike Miller and Shane Battier to take over the Birdman's minutes.

Commissioner David Stern said Friday that Chris Andersen should have been ejected for his body check of Tyler Hansbrough during Game 5. Andersen thought Hansbrough shoved him in the back, so he blatantly decked the controversial former Tar Heel well behind the play. Somehow, the Birdman escaped with only a Flagrant 1 and was allowed to stay in the game. We wouldn't be surprised if the league reviews the incident and ends up suspending Andersen for Saturday's Game 6.

Chris Andersen made all seven of his field goal attempts for 16 points to go with five boards, one steal and three blocks in 18 minutes against the Pacers on Wednesday. He's been one of the best bargains of the season at just $541K for the Heat and he did a nice job on both ends of the floor with plenty of hustle. Miami was outstanding in getting good shots with 60 points in the paint, which is well above Indiana's regular-season average of 35.5 points per game from that range. The Birdman is shooting an astonishing 82.9 percent from the field in the postseason and has clearly earned his playing time.