In this odd NBA season where the New Orleans Hornets stare down the forthcoming All-Star break with the best record in the Western Conference, is the next step awaiting "The Birdman" to cometh?

As the clock ticks loudly and the Feb. 21 NBA trade deadline approaches, the biggest player transaction may not be a trade at all. It may be the Hornets re-signing forward Chris Andersen, a.k.a. The Birdman, if all the i's are dotted properly and the t's are crossed just right.

And it very may well be the final piece that makes the Hornets absolutely legitimate contenders to win the West -- as if they aren't already.

You see, the jury is still out on the future of Andersen, both figuratively and literally. Andersen was banned and disqualified from the NBA on Jan. 26, 2006 after testing positive for "drugs of abuse," which include amphetamines, opiates (codeine, heroin, morphine and PCP), cocaine, LSD and methamphetamine. Since he hadn't tested positive for any other drugs, it is likely the positive test came from one of the aforementioned drugs of abuse.

Nicknamed "The Birdman" because of his wild, aggressive style attacking the ball and the boards, the 6-10, 230-pound Andersen has apparently followed all the rules and is going through all the steps necessary with both the commissioner's office and the players association to gain a speedy reinstatement. Although his four-year contract was revoked by virtue of the banishment, the Hornets, who have the best record in the Western Conference at 31-12, would have a 30-day window to sign Andersen if and when he is reinstated. However, it could be weeks before a conclusion has been reached by the two offices.

If he is restored to eligibility and re-signed by the Hornets, it would be huge despite what's on paper. His numbers have never been sensational and he is not a refined athlete by any means. His last full season in the NBA he averaged 7.7 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.49 blocks -- providing the kind of energy off the bench that Anderson Varejao provides the Cleveland Cavaliers. And the Hornets need it.

They have an exceptional starting five that has carried them to this point, but that was never the question. They have a terrific young coach in Byron Scott, who twice coached the New Jersey Nets to the Finals, and was the starting shooting guard for Pat Riley with the Lakers on three championship teams. So the fiber is there.

With Chris Paul and Morris Peterson in the backcourt, along with a versatile and talented frontcourt of Tyson Chandler, David West and Peja Stojakovic, Scott has a nice balance of shooting, defense and quickness. Whereas perimeter players Bobby Jackson, Jannero Pargo and Rasual Butler blow hot and cold individually coming off the bench, collectively they contribute. It's much more of a struggle to get significant help up front from Melvin Ely, Hilton Armstrong, Ryan Bowen and rookie Julian Wright.

That has been patently obvious whenever one of the frontcourt starters gets hurt. It killed them last year when both Stojakovic and West were out for significant stretches. Then Paul's ankle sprain virtually wiped them out of the playoff picture for good. Nonetheless, that's where Andersen comes in.

Instead of a downgrade up front as soon as West or Chandler need a blow, Andersen brings a different kind of energy for the Hornets. It may include silly fouls for climbing over someone's back or diving into a pile late. But it is the infusion he brings that kicks everybody into another gear.

Of course, that's presuming the Hornets want to gamble on him being clean for good.

Should they?

If he doesn't have the requisite tests and other proof that he has remained clean, then this is a waste of time and space. But if he has, should the commissioner's office and players association rubber stamp his return?

Andersen is the first banned player to apply for reinstatement since Roy Tarpley did it in 2003 -- a full eight years after he was given the boot for violating the substance abuse policy. Tarpley, who was 37 years old and hadn't played since 1995, was summarily rejected.

This is different. Andersen reportedly has been working out under supervision and adhering to every nuance of the NBA policy because of his age and the realization of how quickly his career his career is slipping away.

Provided he has answered all the questions the right way and can provide proof he has remained clean, why wouldn't the Hornets want him back? His pro-rated $3.5 million contract would still keep them below the luxury tax limit, and the depth he brings would be significant.

Even more to the point is why wouldn't the NBA bring him back? Considering the issues of spousal abuse, guns, fights and any number of other issues that have produced extended suspensions followed by the return of those players to the court, this is hardly a more significant matter to the league.

That's not to minimize drug usage. Andersen was damaging himself, nobody else and the two-year ban that cost him millions of dollars severely spoiled and possibly ended his NBA career. If he proves that this was a period of awakening and maturity as opposed to convenient contrition because the two-year period allowed him to apply for reinstatement, then bring him back.

Everybody deserves a second chance and Andersen's story in New Orleans could be a special one. The league already has the All-Star Game coming in attempt to help this horribly blighted city. Allowing The Birdman to swoop in would just be one more.