New Orleans Pelicans rumors: Pelicans trying to trade Eric Gordon, Austin Rivers
In less than a week, the New Orleans Pelicans and Houston Rockets will finalize a trade that will send center Omer Asik to the Pelicans.
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The Rockets are simply trying to clear cap room to make a run at key free agents wile the Pelicans try to surround Anthony Davis with enough talent to get to the postseason. That’s why the Pelicans aren’t done dealing.
According to John Reid of NOLA.com/The New Orleans Times Picayune, the Pelicans are still trying to find takers for guards Eric Gordon and Austin Rivers and center Alexis Ajinca.
"While Morrow continues to attract attention, the Pelicans’ primary focus continues to be finding a willing trade partner to move either Eric Gordon, Austin Rivers or center Alexis Ajinca in an effort to create enough cap space to absorb center Omer Asik’s $8.3 million salary……Although the Pelicans would prefer to unload Gordon’s contract that would give them their desired cap space because he’s owed $30.2 million over the next two years, although he can opt out 2015-16, it appears unlikely because of their inability to find a team willing to take on his contract."
Gordon has had injuries troubles throughout his career, but played in 64 games last season. He averaged 15.4 points, 3.3 assists, 2.6 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game. He shot 43.6% from the field, 39.1% from beyond the arc and 78.5% from the charity stripe. Rivers went for 7.7 points, 2.3 assists and 1.9 rebounds per game while shooting 40.5% from the field, 36.4% from three and 63.6% from the free throw line. Ajinca averaged 5.9 points and 4.9 rebounds while shooting 54.6% from the floor and 83.6% from the free throw line.