Rockets news: Mike D’Antoni would ‘definitely’ consider playing Ryan Anderson as backup center

Houston Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni says he would "definitely" consider playing Ryan Anderson as a backup center this season.

Houston Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni says he would “definitely” consider playing Ryan Anderson as a backup center this season.

D'Antoni says Tyson Chandler's availability, how opposing teams guard the Rockets and other things will dictate if he uses Anderson at center.

D'Antoni says Tyson Chandler's availability, how opposing teams guard Houston, and other things will dictate when this look will be used. https://t.co/9v6aNP7hQQ

— Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) October 14, 2019

Anderson agreed to a significantly partially guaranteed deal with the Rockets in September. He split time last season with the Phoenix Suns and Miami Heat, appearing in just 25 games.

Anderson isn’t the player he used to be, but he can still stretch the floor with his perimeter shooting. Plus, he already has a rapport with D’Antoni and his offensive system.

Anderson, 31, has career averages of 12.4 points and 5.3 rebounds in 647 games with the New Jersey Nets (now Brooklyn Nets), Orlando Magic, New Orleans Pelicans, Rockets, Suns and Heat. He’s a career 42.2 percent shooter from the field and 38.0 percent from beyond the arc.

During the 2017-18 season, when the Rockets had the best record in the NBA, Anderson put up 9.3 points while shooting 43.1 percent overall and 38.6 percent from the 3-point line. This upcoming season, Anderson will have a chance to earn minutes as a back-up power forward and apparently center in Houston.

The Rockets are expected to start Russell Westbrook, James Harden, Eric Gordon, PJ Tucker and Clint Capela.