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Heat acquires Anderson from Rockets
Adding more veteran depth, the Miami Heat acquired guard Derek Anderson from the Houston Rockets for rookie guard Gerald Fitch.
The Rockets also received a trade exception reportedly worth $1.9 million that the Heat acquired in the Steve Smith deal with Charlotte a year ago.
Anderson, 31, signed a two-year deal with Houston last summer after being waived by Portland under the amnesty program. He has a player option for $1.8 million next season that he almost certainly will exercise.
The Rockets believed Anderson could provide depth at both guard spots. But he has been hobbled by back and calf ailments the last two seasons and was not a part of the Rockets’ rotation, having not played since December 14.
Anderson was averaging 10.8 points and 4.2 rebounds in 20 games this season, his ninth in the NBA. In 514 games with Cleveland, the Los Angeles Clippers, San Antonio, Portland and Houston, Anderson has career averages of 13.0 points, 3.6 assists and 3.4 rebounds.
“We feel very fortunate that we were able to acquire the services of a multi-faceted player in Derek Anderson, who we had interest in this summer before he signed with Houston,” Heat president and coach Pat Riley said. “We feel that he will be able to play three positions for us, giving us added versatility in our quest for a championship.”
Undrafted and signed during the season, the 6-3 Fitch averaged 4.7 points in 18 games with the Heat.
“This will be a great opportunity for him out there,” Riley said.
Cavs make two deals
The Cleveland Cavaliers acquired guard Ronald “Flip” Murray from the Seattle SuperSonics in one of two deals before the trade deadline.
The Cavaliers got Murray in exchange for guard Mike Wilks and cash. Murray, 26, is in his fourth season, and averaged 9.9 points per game for the Sonics.
The Cavaliers also sent a conditional second-round pick in this year’s draft to Philadelphia for forward Lee Nailon and the 76ers’ second-round pick.
General manager Danny Ferry said adding Murray will help make up for the loss of Larry Hughes, who is likely out for the rest of the regular season with a broken finger.
“We needed to add more scoring and athleticism on the wing, especially coming off the bench,” Ferry said. “With Flip, that’s his strength. He’ll be able to come in and create baskets for himself.”
Murray was drafted by Milwaukee in the second round in 2002. He scored a season-high 29 points against Boston on Dec. 26.
Wilks, who started the season as an unsigned free agent, saw little playing time at point guard behind Eric Snow and Damon Jones.
Nailon signed with the Sixers in the offseason and was expected to provide an offensive boost off the bench after averaging a career-high 14.2 points last season with New Orleans. Nailon hasn’t played since the end of last month after his arrest in an alleged dispute with his wife.
Ferry said he did not expect Nailon to report to the Cavaliers. He said the deal allows Philadelphia to get under the luxury tax.
Nailon, 30, played in 22 games this season, averaging 4.2 points and 1.9 rebounds in 10.8 minutes per game. He played briefly for the Cavaliers in 2003-04, averaging 7.7 points in 22 games. He’s played with six NBA teams in a six-year career.
The Cavaliers will keep the pick they sent to Philadelphia unless they finish with one of the top three records in the league, Ferry said. They currently have the sixth-best record in the league.
“Most likely we’ll have two second-round picks next year,” Ferry said.
To make room for Nailon, Cleveland waived swingman Stephen Graham, who signed a second 10-day contract on Feb. 20. Ferry said they may look to re-sign Graham, who impressed in his limited time.
The Cavaliers elected not to make a major deal involving forward Drew Gooden. He has played well this season, averaging 11 points and 8.8 rebounds per game, but his talent and upcoming status as free agent made him a candidate for a trade.
“We were not ever close to trading Drew Gooden,” Ferry said. “He’s been very valuable to us this year.”
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