Wednesday, March 5, 2008

The NBA reinstated Chris Andersen from a drug suspension yesterday, and the Hornets will have the first chance to sign their former player.

Andersen was kicked out on Jan. 27, 2006, for violating the league's drug policy. Since he was "dismissed and disqualified" for a specific violation, he was forced to wait two years to apply for reinstatement.

Andersen's rights belong to the Hornets, provided they offer him a contract in the next 30 days, which they are expected to do. If not, Andersen would become an unrestricted free agent.

"We were always more concerned with Chris Andersen the person rather than Chris Andersen the player and are pleased that he has taken the appropriate measures to get himself reinstated by the NBA," GM Jeff Bower said in a statement.

Andersen, 29, averaged five points for New Orleans in the 2005-06 season, his fifth in the NBA, before becoming the first player thrown out for drugs since Stanley Roberts in 1999.

WARRIORS: Chris Webber missed last night's game at the Hawks with a sore left knee. Coach Don Nelson said Webber, who left a win over the Trail Blazers on Sunday after eight minutes, plans to stay in Atlanta, where he owns a house, to rehab. He could sit out the final three games of Golden State's current road trip.

SIGNINGS: The Pistons signed C Theo Ratliff. . . . The Suns signed G Gordan Giricek to a contract for the rest of the season. . . . The Mavericks signed free agent Tyronn Lue to be their backup point guard.

-- From News Services