Ryan Anderson (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
The New Orleans Pelicans are rumored to be shopping Ryan Anderson before the trade deadline to fill in the team's second unit with scorers.
John Reid of the Times-Picayune reported that the Pelicans are exploring trade options for Anderson, who has a lot of trade value for the New Orleans.
Anderson will be an unrestricted free agent next summer and is poised to get more than his current contract worth $8.5 million.
According to Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders, the Pelicans "don't want to trade Ryan Anderson," but his expiring contract could force the Pels to move him this season "to improve the small forward spot and maybe add another scoring option who can come off the bench."
The Pelicans have been linked to show interest in Phoenix Suns' Markieff Morris, but if their bid to land the disgruntled forward fails, NOP could opt for Houston Rockets forward Terrence Jones or KJ McDaniels.
The Rockets cannot manage to continue their shaky outings in the NBA 2015-2016 regular season. They are currently seventh in the Western Conference and inconsistency may force them to move some of their core roster.
Sheridan Hoops of reported last week that Rocket general manager Daryl Morey could devise a blockbuster deal that would involve Jones and Donatas Motiejunas.
But with the Rockets, somehow, managing to sneak into the Wild Wild West, a not-so-blockbuster trade maybe enough for Houston.
Anderson, a stretch-four, could provide the Rockets instant help in the scoring department. He is averaging 18.0 points and 7.0 rebounds per game and posts as a legitimate threat for the three-point territory.
Meanwhile, Jones and McDaniels would give the Pelicans the much-needed help off the bench. Moreover, the Pels could use Jones and McDaniels' youth and athleticism that fit well into Alvin Gentry's up-tempo offense.
The Real GM trade checker approved a trade of Anderson for Jones and McDaniels, but both teams would probably add other pieces if a trade scenario like this goes down.
With summer signees being eligible to get traded in a few days, expect NBA teams to ride in the trading frenzy.
