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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 13, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Ryan Anderson (33) shoots the ball against the Sacramento Kings during the second quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 13, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Ryan Anderson (33) shoots the ball against the Sacramento Kings during the second quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Sacramento Kings

Who would want to go play for one of the most dysfunctional organizations in the NBA in the Sacramento Kings? Maybe the New Orleans Pelicans’ Ryan Anderson may want to play for the Kings as soon as this season?

Anderson grew up in Northern California, playing collegiately at California, and was even born in the California state capital of Sacramento. Under head coach George Karl, the Kings are playing decent basketball with a 17-32 record, good enough for 10th place in the Western Conference, but only 0.5 game back of the Utah Jazz for the West’s final playoff spot.

Sacramento hasn’t made the postseason in a decade and with two strong players in All-NBA center DeMarcus Cousins and former All-Star Rajon Rondo leading the charge, might Anderson actually end up the perfect complimentary piece for the Kings?

Anderson is a sharpshooter from three, but doesn’t hog the basketball. Rondo could carefully pick and choose who he delivers the basketball to, keeping Cousins happy in the low post, while feeding Anderson from three when he’s feeling it.

Sacramento would certainly have to trade ball dominant small forward Rudy Gay for Anderson, but this tit-for-tat trade seems to make a great deal of sense. Anderson is from Sacramento and would likely thrive in Karl’s offensive centered around Rondo/Cousins pick and rolls. Gay would become a great small forward to pair alongside power forward Anthony Davis in New Orleans.

Rumors of this trade have circulated over the last several days and this trade involving Anderson and Gay helps New Orleans definitely in the long-term, as the Pelicans need talent in any capacity, and in the short-term with Anderson coming to Sacramento to help get the Kings into the Western Conference Playoffs for the first time in over a decade.

If he enjoys his second half with the Kings, maybe Anderson signs a long-term deal to stay in Sacramento, as he is an impending free agent that might literally take a hometown discount to help make the Kings great again.

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