One trade every NBA team needs to make
By Tom West
Washington Wizards
What better stretch power forward could the Wizards want for John Wall to run pick-and-pops with than Ryan Anderson?
Anderson has been a common feature in NBA trade rumors for quite some time now, and with an expiring contract and the way he’s been playing this season, a big pay-day should be in store for him this summer. That contract brings about concern for the Pelicans, as if they think he’s going to sign with a team who can actually contend in the playoffs, they’ll be better off trading him now so they don’t lose him for nothing.
To make the most of this opportunity, the Wizards can try offering the Pelicans a big man like Kris Humphries or Nene Hilario and Kelly Oubre Jr. in exchange for Anderson.
The Wizards only have an estimated payroll of $42.7 million for next season at the moment, meaning they have plenty of money to offer Anderson a sizeable contract to keep him around. He’s having a great season averaging 17 points per game while shooting 38.6 percent from three with 2.1 makes, and along with his 48 percent shooting from 16-24 feet, he’s the ideal power forward to fit in their fluid offense.
The tough loss here is Oubre. There’s no doubt he has potential as a valuable 3-and-D guy and at 6’7″ with a big wingspan and great athleticism, he has all the physical attributes you could want in a wing. It’s important to emphasize that if the Wizards can acquire Anderson without giving Oubre up, they need to do so. However, they would be getting a significant upgrade to their frontcourt, while the Pelicans get a solid role player in Humphries or Nene and a rookie with potential to avoid losing Anderson for nothing.
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