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NBA Trade Rumors: 5 destinations for Ryan Anderson

By John Buhler

Dec 16, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Ryan Anderson (33) dribbles the ball as Utah Jazz forward Trevor Booker (33) defends during the first half at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 16, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Ryan Anderson (33) dribbles the ball as Utah Jazz forward Trevor Booker (33) defends during the first half at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 14, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Ryan Anderson (33) gets defended by Detroit Pistons forward Anthony Tolliver (43) during the fourth quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. The Pelicans beat the Pistons 105-94. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 14, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Ryan Anderson (33) gets defended by Detroit Pistons forward Anthony Tolliver (43) during the fourth quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. The Pelicans beat the Pistons 105-94. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Detroit Pistons

Through their first 41 games of the 2015-16 NBA season, the Detroit Pistons are 22-19 and are in seventh place in the tough Eastern Conference. Under head coach/general manager Stan Van Gundy, the Pistons seem poised to end their East-worst playoff drought this season should they continue to play well in the second half.

Van Gundy has two strong building blocks in place in center Andre Drummond and point guard Reggie Jackson. While Detroit does shoot the ball decently well from long-distance, do the Pistons have the veteran leadership they need to get into the postseason in 2016?

It’s not going to be easy, but the Pistons have a strong shot at making the playoffs despite being the fourth-best team in the Central Division behind the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Chicago Bulls, and the Indiana Pacers respectively.

What the sharpshooting forward Ryan Anderson could provide the Pistons with is a player that knows how to grind in the second half to get his team to the postseason, while also being able to stifle opposing defenses with his impressive outside stroke.

With Anderson being a free agent at the end of the year, should Van Gundy likes what he sees, he could end up overpaying for Anderson’s services for 2016-17 and beyond, as Van Gundy will spend more than he should to keep a player he likes. He did it with Rashard Lewis in Orlando and he did it with Reggie Jackson this past offseason.

Essentially, the Pistons need to make the playoffs this season, as their current roster is arguably strong enough to make it there already. By sending New Orleans someone like shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope or point guard Brandon Jennings, it could allow Van Gundy to obtain Anderson’s services in the second half and beyond, as he continues to build a strong team around Drummond and Jackson in Detroit.

Next: 3. Boston Celtics

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