New Orleans Pelicans power forward Ryan Anderson posts up against Oklahoma City Thunder's Russell Westbrook. (Photo : Getty Images)
The Portland Trail Blazers are rumored to be considering a trade for embattled New Orleans power forward Ryan Anderson as the unofficial trading season begins on Tuesday.
Fansided's Steven Dewald projected the scenario as one of Blazers general manager Neil Olshey's options for a trade this season.
New Orleans will reportedly shop the 27-year-old stretch four when the league's trade restriction on recently signed free agents is lifted on December 15 as the struggling Pelicans are "looking to shake things up before it gets too late".
The Blazers are not looking good this season after losing key players LaMarcus Aldridge and Nicolas Batum during the previous free-agency period, presently settling for the 10th spot in the tough Western Conference with a 10-15 slate.
Meanwhile, Alvin Gentry's squad is worse being second from the bottom of the West and toting a 6-17 record with only the hopeless Lakers worse at 3-21. Obviously, the Pelicans are not satisfied with how their campaign is moving so far in the season after signing a contract extension with superstar Anthony Davis to the tune of a humongous five-year, $145 million contract that will begin next season.
With Anderson playing well at the moment, Dewald noted that he is likely "the first to move" from the Pelicans before the trade deadline as the team will be unable to match any offer that the seven-year pro will receive from other teams when he becomes an unrestricted free agent next summer.
Hoops Rumors indicated that the 2012 Most Improved Player is set to be offered a max contract by interested teams as soon as he becomes available.
With the ball club already shouldering the significant salaries of Davis, Eric Gordon ($15.5 million), Tyreke Evans ($10.7 million), Jrue Holiday ($10.6 million), and Omer Asik ($9.2 million), Anderson could be lost without getting anything in return, thus trading Anderson for a player of value within the season does make sense for New Orleans.
With all those in play, expect the Blazers to make a move for Anderson any time before the February trade deadline.
