Kenneth Faried (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
The New Orleans Pelicans could send Tyreke Evans to the Denver Nuggets for Kenneth Faried, with the Pels reportedly interested in trading for the "Manimal," who is one of the few players likely to get dealt this offseason.
According to Sam Amico of Amico Hoops, the Pelicans are one of the two teams interested in trading for Kenneth Faried, who, according to trade rumors, is likely to be the expendable piece in the Nuggets' attempt to explore the trade market.
"Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried is also said to be available, with the Thunder and Pelicans among the teams to express an interest, sources told Amico Hoops."
Faried, who averaged 12.5 points and 8.7 rebounds for the Nuggets last season, would give the Pelicans an athletic big man to pair up with Anthony Davis, forming a dynamic frontcourt duo that could fit nicely in Alvin Gentry's up-tempo offense.
The Pelicans were able to address the void left by Eric Gordon and Ryan Anderson after signing key players in free agency, but adding Faried would turn them into legitimate playoff contenders in the West.
The most likely move the Pelicans could consider is trading away Tyreke Evans for Faried, which is a deal that could work for the sake of matching the salaries of both players.
With the addition of Solomon Hill, E'Twaun Moore, along with the arrival of Buddy Hield, the Pels suddenly find themselves clogged at the backcourt, turning Evans as the likely odd man out in New Orleans. Furthermore, it would be difficult to see the Nuggets accepting Omer Asik or Alexis Ajinca, with the team already having a handful of talented young big men.
However, acquiring Evans may not be best option for the Nuggets, with the team already stacked with promising backcourt players.
The Nuggets seem like they lack depth at the wing position and may consider a package from the Pelicans that would include Quincy Pondexter and Dante Cunningham. This would require Denver to send Faried and Will Barton to New Orleans, while receiving Evans, Pondexter and Cunningham in return, a deal which works on ESPN's trade machine.
The Pelicans may not be in a hurry to trade away Evans, who has been showing tremendous effort to get back on the court after a season-ending knee injury. But if someone like Faried is available in the trade market, moving Evans is a deal worth exploring for the Pels.
