Fansided

Pelicans not trading Ryan Anderson, despite receiving calls

By Tom West

Nov 25, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Ryan Anderson (33) against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Pelicans defeated the Suns 120-114. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 25, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Ryan Anderson (33) against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Pelicans defeated the Suns 120-114. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Despite receiving multiple calls, the New Orleans Pelicans are not looking to trade Ryan Anderson.

As a 6’10” power forward who can shoot threes and space the floor for any offense, Ryan Anderson of the New Orleans Pelicans holds a fair amount of trade value. Considering how fashionable small-ball lineups and big men who can shoot have become in today’s NBA, that value has only increased recently. Even more so because he’s in what could be his best season yet.

However, despite these factors making Anderson a trade target for multiple teams, the Pelicans are not looking to move him (per Marc Stein of ESPN):

The Pelicans will be wise not to trade Anderson. Despite the incredibly disappointing season they’re having with a 6-18 record and the 14th seed in the Western Conference, Anderson is a player they should try and keep. With 18 points per game on 44 percent shooting with a 37.1 percent stroke from three, he’s having the best statistical season he’s had since 2013-14 when he averaged 19.8 points a game. Although, seeing as he only played 22 games that year, he’s on pace for a far better campaign in 2015-16 if he stays healthy.

Despite his limitations on defense and lack of rim protection, he still raises the Pelicans’ offensive rating by 4.3 points per 100 possessions when he’s in the game. Plus, he spaces the floor and can draw his defender away from the basket to open up more room for Anthony Davis to go to work in the paint. And while the Pelicans deal with issues surrounding their ball handlers, Anderson is at least a reliable catch-and-shoot option for them to dish the ball to when the rest of the offense can’t get going.

Even though the Pelicans aren’t planning on moving Anderson right now, they have made another frontcourt player, center Omer Asik, available for trade. What he can bring in return as an extremely limited offensive player who’s also recording the worst defensive numbers (10.3 rebounds and 0.8 blocks per 36 minutes) of his career is questionable, but a center who can help protect the paint to any reasonable degree always has value to someone.

So, if either Asik or Anderson are going anywhere right now, it’s certainly looks like it’s going to be the former.

Home/NBA