By Jared Zwerling | ESPNNewYork.com
A source close to unrestricted free agent Chris Andersen said the power forward is open to signing for the veteran's minimum. That's all the Knicks can offer, and they could use a seasoned backup for Amare Stoudemire who can score inside, rebound and block shots.

There's no word yet if Andersen, 34, has been in talks with the Knicks, who don't comment publicly on any free agents. But his former high school coach, Rob Stewart, said that Andersen would love the opportunity to play in New York. He enjoys the city and knows Carmelo Anthony well from his Denver days, and he's very close with J.R. Smith, also a former Nugget. Stewart said a few teams have already contacted Andersen, but he didn't want to say who out of respect to the power forward's agent, Steven Heumann.

Andersen

Andersen

On that note, it's worth noting that Andersen is a client of CAA, which also represents five Knicks: coach Mike Woodson, Anthony, Smith, his younger brother, Chris, and new acquisition Ronnie Brewer.

While the Knicks' roster stands at 15 -- the most players a team can have come opening night -- they could add Andersen right now to their books. That's because Chris Smith's contract is partially guaranteed, which means, in this case, he's only signed for training camp. In technical terms, Smith is not an NBA player yet. The Knicks will likely release him before the season starts, and then assign his rights to their D-League team, the Erie BayHawks.

Also, keep in mind, that a team has no restrictions on the number of players it can invite to training camp, which starts in late September.

For the past four seasons, Andersen played in Denver -- two with Anthony and three with Smith -- where he earned around $4 million per season. His career averages in 10 seasons are 5.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.6 blocks, and he has lit up arenas with his colorful, full-body tattoos and spirited, high-energy style of play.

However, there could be risk associated with signing Andersen. For more than two years (2006 to '08), he was suspended from the NBA for violating the league's anti-drug policy. And in May, authorities searched his Denver-area home as part of a child-exploitation investigation by the Internet Crimes Against Children unit. Andersen has not been charged and no arrest warrant has been issued.

Currently, Andersen is in the Denver area, where he's been rehabbing his right knee, which he had arthroscopic surgery on about four weeks ago to remove some loose cartilage. He begins light training on Monday and will be ready for the start of the season.

• • •

Four other power-forward candidates include Kenyon Martin, Andray Blatche, Louis Amundson, D.J. White and Donte Greene. According to a source familiar with the Knicks' free-agency situation, Martin "makes the most sense, but he won't play for the veteran's minimum." The window for him to play in New York for a contending team, though, could turn out to be more attractive.

Martin, 34, is the most experienced four out of this bunch, and he's already familiar with Anthony and Smith's game. Like Andersen, he played in Denver as well.

According to a source close to Blatche, the seven-year veteran has several teams after him. He could be open to the veteran's minimum because no matter how much he signs for, he'll still collect $7.1 million next season from the Wizards after getting amnestied. There are also some insiders who predict he'll go to a situation where he can start for an up-and-coming team, so he can boost his profile and then look for an eight-figure salary next offseason.

Regarding Amundson and White, a source says they're both in the market for mini mid-level deals -- they made just below that last season -- so if that's the case, that would obviously leave out the Knicks.

The Knicks' roster currently includes point guards Raymond Felton, Jason Kidd, Pablo Prigioni and Chris Smith; shooting guards Brewer, J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert; small forwards Anthony, James White and Chris Copeland (also some PF); power forwards Amare Stoudemire and Steve Novak; and centers Tyson Chandler, Marcus Camby and Kurt Thomas.

Melo is bringing all his old friends with him?

I wouldn't mind signing him, but I think Shawne Williams makes more sense as we need a bit more 3pt shooting, and he can play SF as well as PF.

http://espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/2012/story/_/id/7916152/home-denver-nuggets-chris-andersen-searched-police

matt wrote:didn't his laptop also get raided for child porn? Ehh no thanks

http://espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/2012/story/_/id/7916152/home-denver-nuggets-chris-andersen-searched-police

Basically, from what I've read, a 17 year old wrote and sent scantily clad pics of herself, telling him she was 21. He met with her, she showed him some fake id, etc etc. then when he stopped showing interest her or her mother started demanding money- that he pay for her amazon wish list, and other stuff or they'd report him.

Hence the raid and search for child porn- technically the pics she sent him are indecent material, though in Europe the age of consent is 16. A journalist doing an article about this was shown the letters she sent insisting she was 21.

It's a horrible stigma to be investigated for, but it seems like he hasn't really done anything wrong, problem is they are really dragging their heals in deciding whether he's going to be charged or not - don't see him getting signed by a team until he's been cleared.

knickscity wrote:

smackeddog wrote:

matt wrote:didn't his laptop also get raided for child porn? Ehh no thanks

http://espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/2012/story/_/id/7916152/home-denver-nuggets-chris-andersen-searched-police

Basically, from what I've read, a 17 year old wrote and sent scantily clad pics of herself, telling him she was 21. He met with her, she showed him some fake id, etc etc. then when he stopped showing interest her or her mother started demanding money- that he pay for her amazon wish list, and other stuff or they'd report him.

Hence the raid and search for child porn- technically the pics she sent him are indecent material, though in Europe the age of consent is 16. A journalist doing an article about this was shown the letters she sent insisting she was 21.

It's a horrible stigma to be investigated for, but it seems like he hasn't really done anything wrong, problem is they are really dragging their heals in deciding whether he's going to be charged or not - don't see him getting signed by a team until he's been cleared.

where did you read the girl was from Europe?

She's not, I was just pointing that out. Only in America would a parents initial reaction to their child possibly being the victim of statutory rape be, "let's try and make some money out of this!"

sidsanders wrote:

Anji wrote:

Four other power-forward candidates include Kenyon Martin, Andray Blatche, Louis Amundson, D.J. White and Donte Greene. According to a source familiar with the Knicks' free-agency situation, Martin "makes the most sense, but he won't play for the veteran's minimum." The window for him to play in New York for a contending team, though, could turn out to be more attractive.

Why is he unsigned??? I would rather have Greene than Copeland(?) on the roster.

check this article: http://blogs.sacbee.com/sports/kings/archives/2012/06/donte-greene-sa.html

key point

"
Greene played small and power forward, but never became the defender the Kings believed he could. The thought was Greene was too concerned about being an offensive player and taking three pointers rather than using his 6-foot-11, 226-pound frame to defend and rebound.

Extremely athletic for his size, coaches wanted to see Greene go to the rim more and initiate contact.

Of Greene's 266 shots last season, 105 were three pointers. Greene only attempted 55 free throws.

Greene not returning isn't a surprise. Aside from frustration over his inability to adapt his style of play, his work ethic was also questioned by people in the Kings' organization.

That frustration was most evident before his third season when instead of showing up ready to compete for the starting small forward job, Greene arrived at training camp more than 20 pounds overweight.
"