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New Orleans Pelicans: 5 Potential Ryan Anderson Trade Destinations

By Gerald Bourguet

Nov 20, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Ryan Anderson (33) gestures in the second half of their game against the San Antonio Spurs at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Ryan Anderson (33) gestures in the second half of their game against the San Antonio Spurs at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /
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New Orleans Pelicans
Nov 25, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) shoots over New Orleans Pelicans forward Ryan Anderson (33) during the first quarter of a game at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Sacramento Kings

The Sacramento Kings are averaging the third most points per game in the association (105.0), but that number is misleading since they play at the league’s fastest pace. Per 100 possessions, the Kings are only the NBA’s 14th ranked offense, but adding a lethal perimeter shooter like Anderson would mark a major upgrade for a team that’s gone 9-8 since that abysmal 1-7 start.

With the Kings converting 36.7 percent of their three-point shots, Sacramento ranks sixth in three-point percentage. This is something of a risky move, since Darren Collison (3.1 attempts per game) and Marco Belinelli (4.9 attempts per game) are a huge part of that three-point onslaught.

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    • But with Collison shooting 35.5 percent from deep and Belinelli only converting 33.6 percent of his long range attempts, Anderson would be a major upgrade in that regard. Just imagine him flashing to the open spots along the three-point arc with Rajon Rondo setting him up.

    Rondo isn’t the most popular guy right now, and his impact may not actually extend past stat sheet-stuffing, but Collison is superfluous on the Kings’ roster and moving Belinelli would open up more time for youngster Ben McLemore.

    As for the Pelicans, if we’re assuming they’re not ready to tank just yet since they’re only four games out of a playoff spot, the whole point of trading Anderson is getting back assets on medium or long-term deals that can help now and in the future.

    Given the team’s lukewarm feelings toward Norris Cole and the fact that a banged Holiday is 100 percent expendable, bringing in a quality point guard like Collison would provide the Pellies with a floor general upgrade over Ish Smith. Belinelli would supply NOLA with three-point shooting to make up for Anderson’s absence, even if he’s been a bit off this year.

    With one and a half years remaining on Collison’s deal and two and a half left on Belinelli’s deal, the Pelicans could add two useful role players who could easily be moved in future trades if they didn’t pan out. That’s not a bad return for Anderson, especially if the Pellies don’t think they can/want to re-sign him this summer.

    Next: No. 4