Potential Trade Destinations For Gerald Henderson
By Kevin Dolan
Jan 23, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry talks to forward Anthony Davis (23) during the first half of a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
New Orleans Pelicans
Potential Trade: http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=j56tw5l
Portland Trail Blazers receive: Omer Asik, Lottery Protected 1st round pick
New Orleans Pelicans receive: Gerald Henderson
This trade has less to do with Gerald Henderson’s fit with the Pelicans (although he could definitely help them) and more to do with highlighting the Blazers’ ability to absorb salary. Omer Asik has been terrible this season and the five-year, $60 million contract the Pelicans signed him to this summer looks like one of the worst contracts in the NBA.
The Blazers have tons of cap space, though, and could theoretically take on Asik’s salary in the short term while planning on buying him out when the time comes for the Blazers to go after big free agents. If the Blazers could get the Pelicans to send a protected first-rounder or multiple second-round picks along with Asik’s contract, the Blazers could pick up some easy assets.
The most prudent choice for the Pelicans would be to hold on to their draft picks at all costs so that they can get cheap talented young players to support Anthony Davis. However the Pelicans have shown a history of sacrificing assets to try to win now in the trades for Jrue Holiday and Omer Asik.
I wouldn’t put it past New Orleans’ front office to try to look for a band-aid to put over the holes in their roster.
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