The Toronto Raptors have acquired centre David Andersen from the Houston Rockets for cash and a future second-round draft pick.

The six-foot-11 Australian averaged 5.8 points and 3.3 rebounds in 63 games last season, his first in the NBA.

Andersen, 30, helped fill the void for Houston while Yao Ming sat out last season with a foot injury. Yao is expected to return this season, and the Rockets have Brad Miller to back him up.

"David is a skilled big [man] that gives us some insurance at the backup centre position," Raptors president Bryan Colangelo said in a statement. "He will also bring a veteran presence and savvy to a relatively young team."

The 2015 protected second-round pick going to Houston was obtained from the Los Angeles Clippers as part of the Hassan Adams trade in January 2009.

The Rockets acquired Andersen's rights from Atlanta last July, not long after Yao announced he would have foot surgery and probably miss the 2009-10 season.

Andersen, who also holds Danish citizenship, was a second-round draft choice of the Hawks in 2002. He had played in Australia, Spain, Italy and Russia.