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NBA Trade Rumors: Noteworthy Players Garnering Interest

By Maxwell Ogden

Dec 1, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Shabazz Muhammad (15) against the Orlando Magic at Target Center. The Magic defeated the Timberwolves 96-93. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 1, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Shabazz Muhammad (15) against the Orlando Magic at Target Center. The Magic defeated the Timberwolves 96-93. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 10, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Ryan Anderson (33) shoots over Dallas Mavericks forward Dwight Powell (7) during the second half of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Mavericks 120-105. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 10, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Ryan Anderson (33) shoots over Dallas Mavericks forward Dwight Powell (7) during the second half of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Mavericks 120-105. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

Ryan Anderson, New Orleans Pelicans

Position: Power Forward

Age: 27

Slash Line: .447/.376/.855

Season Averages: 32.4 MPG, 18.0 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 2.4 ORPG, 1.2 APG, 2.1 3PM

In July of 2015, Jordan Schultz of The Huffington Post reported the Phoenix Suns were interested in acquiring Ryan Anderson.

The date of the tweet suggests that the report is irrelevant to the present day, but recent developments suggest it isn’t.

According to Adrian Wojnarowski and Shams Charania of Yahoo! Sports, the New Orleans Pelicans made Anderson available in preliminary trade talks with the Suns. The Pelicans’ target was Markieff Morris, who has received a string of healthy scratches.

Per the Yahoo! Sports report, Anderson is available to the very team that was pursuing him roughly five months ago.

"The Pelicans’ willingness to part with forward Ryan Anderson could make conversations worth exploring between the two teams, league sources told Yahoo Sports. The Pelicans are willing to consider moving Anderson as a part of a potential deal for Morris, especially if Anderson doesn’t show an interest in signing a new contract with New Orleans, sources said."

Deductive reasoning states that Anderson, in the midst of a productive season, has at least one team’s interest: Phoenix.

This may seem like a bit of a reach, but Anderson is a 27-year-old stretch 4 with high-grade production and an expiring contract. Phoenix’s interest makes sense, as Morris has fallen out of favor with head coach Jeff Hornacek, and Anderson fits their style of offense.

Odds are, Phoenix is one of many teams interested in trading for Anderson.

Next: Valuable Versatility

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