New Orleans Pelicans Want Omar Asik Long-Term?

By Ed Carroll | Oct 28, 2014

Oct 14, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans center Omer Asik greets guard Eric Gordon (10) before a game against the Houston Rockets at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

The New Orleans Pelicans declined the fourth-year option on Austin Rivers, in a move that could be more about signing other NBA players, such as Eric Gordon or Omar Asik, than Rivers himself.

The New Orleans Pelicans didn’t pick up the fourth-year option on point guard Austin Rivers’s rookie contract last Friday, and Rivers said the snub put a chip on his shoulder to play better this season, but it appears that the decision to decline a potential $3.1 million option for next season is all about where that money could go instead, including potentially keeping center Omar Asik long-term.

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The Pelicans declined Rivers’s option based off salary cap concerns, claim NOLA.com, and the concerns include preparing for the possibility of Eric Gordon opting into a contract next season at $15.5 million. The Pelicans still feel Rivers is developing, and also feel the newly-acquired Asik can be a huge help to developing star Anthony Davis.

Rivers has been mostly disappointing since New Orleans tabbed him with the 10th overall pick in 2012, but hasn’t been a complete lost cause, showing signs of development. The Pelicans also signed Jimmer Fredette, who will compete with Rivers for minutes, giving the Pelicans two offensive-minded guards to work with this season.

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