Heat to give Chris Andersen another 10-day deal

Chris "Birdman" Andersen will sign a second 10-day contract with the Miami Heat on Wednesday, a league source told Yahoo! Sports.

Chris Andersen has appeared in one game for the Heat. (USA Today Sports)Andersen, one of the NBA's most colorful characters, has been working himself into shape with the Heat. So far, he's appeared in one game. Nevertheless, Miami officials have been impressed with his progress and believe he could eventually contribute to the defending NBA champions.

The Heat are also finalizing a contract with forward Jarvis Varnado for the remainder of the season, sources told Yahoo! Sports.

[Also: Former NBA All-Star Allen Iverson declines a D-League invitation]

Varnado completed his second successive 10-day contract with Miami on Tuesday, and the organization had to make a decision on his future with the team. Varnado was the NBA D-League's top shot blocker for coach Joel Abelson with the Sioux Falls Sky Force.

Andersen played 32 games for Denver last season, but was ultimately let go in July using the NBA's amnesty clause. He's played parts of 10 seasons with Denver, New Orleans and Oklahoma City.

After a two-year ban for violating the NBA's substance-abuse policy from 2006-08, Andersen had a terrific second act in the NBA, most notably as a key reserve on the Denver Nuggets.

Miami has the Eastern Conference's best record at 28-13.

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