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Pelicans Rumors: Ryan Anderson Expected To Move On

By Kenneth Teape

Feb 27, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Ryan Anderson (33) moves past Minnesota Timberwolves forward Adreian Payne (33) during the second half of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Timberwolves defeated the Pelicans 112-110. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 27, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Ryan Anderson (33) moves past Minnesota Timberwolves forward Adreian Payne (33) during the second half of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Timberwolves defeated the Pelicans 112-110. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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New Orleans Pelicans Rumors: Ryan Anderson looks like he will be on the move this summer, with the Washington Wizards and Sacramento Kings already being reported as potential landing spots.

New Orleans Pelicans rumors are going to heat up in the coming days as NBA free agency is on the horizon. One player to keep an eye on is power forward Ryan Anderson.

Anderson has played with New Orleans for the past four seasons, but it looks like he will move on as an unrestricted free agent this summer.

According to John Reid of NOLA.com, it is highly unlikely that the Pelicans make a push to retain Anderson, or any of their other unrestricted free agents; Norris Cole, Eric Gordon or Kendrick Perkins.

Alonzo Gee could also opt-out and become a free agent, while James Ennis and Tim Frazier are both restricted free agents.

"”In exit interviews, all of the players indicated that they liked being here and the door is open for them to return,” Demps said. ”I still believe in our core players. I believe they are good players and they are going to have other opportunities.”But at the same time, we have to do what’s best for the New Orleans Pelicans. If those guys return, it has to be a win-win situation for everybody. But they are going to be looking at opportunities, we are going to be looking at other opportunities ourselves.”"

While Anderson is a talented player that fits well next to superstar Anthony Davis, it makes sense that the front office is ready to shake things up. The Pelicans came up short in 2015-16, winning 15 fewer games from 2014-15 when they made the postseason for the first time as the Pelicans.

As a result, the Pelicans will have a new look next season.

With Anderson looking on his way out the door, Davis should find himself playing power forward more during the 2016-17 season. Omer Asik and Alexis Ajinca are still on the roster and could handle the center duties, allowing Davis to move over to power forward more.

It is a move that should help Davis stay healthy, as he will not be banging inside as the lone big man as often.

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The need for Anderson also fell when the Pelicans had Buddy Hield fall into their lap with the sixth overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft.

Hield should signal the end of Gordon at shooting guard for the Pelicans, while also offsetting the three-point shooting that they will miss with Anderson leaving town.

There are already teams interested in Anderson as well, as the Washington Wizards have already been linked to the stretch power forward. The Wizards acquired Markieff Morris from the Phoenix Suns at the 2015 NBA trade deadline, but could definitely use help at power forward.

With Kevin Durant not giving the Wizards a meeting, Anderson is reportedly their next target according to J. Michael of CSNmidatlantic.com.

But, Michael also notes that the Wizards will not be alone in courting Anderson, as the Sacramento Kings have already expressed interest in him as well.

The Kings have spent a ton of resources on big men recently, as they have used first round draft picks on Willie Cauley-Stein, Georgios Papagiannis and Skal Labissiere in the last two seasons.

With DeMarcus Cousins already entrenched at center, it was an interesting draft strategy used by the Kings, as their biggest free agent signing last season was also a center in Kosta Koufus.

Despite the resources poured into center, the Kings could still use a power forward to complement Cousins in the post, and Anderson would fit the bill.

The three-point shooting that Anderson possesses would open things up for Cousins to work in the middle and bring an added dimension to the Kings’ offense; last season they ranked 19th in three-point makes at only 8.0 per game.

Next: 5 Roster Moves The Pelicans Need To Make

The potential match between Anderson and the Kings was first reported by CSN Bay Area on the Kings Insider Podcast. Anderson would be a nice addition to the Kings, as they need spacing and three-point shooting and there aren’t many better available on the free agent market.

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