New Orleans Hornets forward-center Chris Andersen said on Friday that he will opt out of his $1.76 million contract for next season to become an unrestricted free agent.

Andersen, The Birdman, who earned his nickname while playing for the Nuggets from 2001-04, averaged 7.7 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.49 blocks this season.

"I finally got a chance to prove what I can do," Andersen said. "I believe I'm worth more than what's on paper. To do what is best for myself and my family, I have to (become a free agent) because it's a business.

"When I got the minutes, I produced. That's a main fact why my stock is going to go up. I can give a team some energy off the bench."