NBA Trade Rumors: New Orleans Pelicans shopping Austin Rivers

Nov 13, 2013; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; New Orleans Pelicans shooting guard Austin Rivers (25) dribbles around Utah Jazz guard Diante Garrett (8) during the second half at EnergySolutions Arena. The Jazz won 111-105. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2013; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; New Orleans Pelicans shooting guard Austin Rivers (25) dribbles around Utah Jazz guard Diante Garrett (8) during the second half at EnergySolutions Arena. The Jazz won 111-105. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 13, 2013; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; New Orleans Pelicans shooting guard Austin Rivers (25) dribbles around Utah Jazz guard Diante Garrett (8) during the second half at EnergySolutions Arena. The Jazz won 111-105. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2013; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; New Orleans Pelicans shooting guard Austin Rivers (25) dribbles around Utah Jazz guard Diante Garrett (8) during the second half at EnergySolutions Arena. The Jazz won 111-105. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /

The New Orleans Pelicans are apparently looking at making moves at the trade deadline, and the next 48 hours should be filled with plenty of phone calls in and out of the Big Easy. According to Yahoo! Sports NBA guru Marc J. Spears, the Pelicans have made available guard Austin Rivers and may end up being able to move him by Thursday.

Per Spears:

"Source said New Orleans could be trading guard Austin Rivers and the rights to hot-scoring D-League guard Pierre Jackson."

We’ve heard increased chatter about Jackson in recent days, but the notion that the Pelicans will trade Rivers has been around for a while longer. It doesn’t seem as certain as it did a while back, but it’s clear that the Pelicans are still interested in moving Rivers if they can find a buyer.

Finding that buyer is the hard part, as it doesn’t appear that teams are jumping through hoops to get the former Duke star. Still, he’s an intriguing young talent and may end up piquing the interest of someone willing to take him on and develop him.