MIAMI (AP) -- Chris Andersen has signed a $1.7 million, one-year deal to return to the NBA champion Miami Heat.

Andersen averaged 4.9 points in 42 games last season off the Heat bench, then averaged 6.4 points in 20 playoff games. He shot 81 percent from the floor during the playoffs. The Heat were 54-8 in games in which Andersen appeared after he joined the team in late January as a free agent.

Andersen could have commanded $3.2 million from the Heat and possibly even a longer contract with another team. By taking the less-expensive deal announced Wednesday, Andersen saves the Heat more than $1.5 million in luxury tax this coming season.