Ryan Anderson: 5 potential destinations this summer

Dec 2, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Ryan Anderson (33) dribbles the ball as Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) defends during the fourth quarter at Toyota Center. The Rockets defeated the Pelicans 108-101. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 2, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Ryan Anderson (33) dribbles the ball as Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) defends during the fourth quarter at Toyota Center. The Rockets defeated the Pelicans 108-101. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 6
Next

Everyone, including the New Orleans Pelicans, know that Ryan Anderson is going to test the market via free agency this summer.

Ryan Anderson generated a lot of buzz around teams heading into the NBA trade deadline this year. The problem for the Pelicans was that they couldn’t find anyone to give enough in return for Anderson. Everyone knew Anderson was going to leave so why would they give you something valuable?

It resulted in trades like Jeff Green to the Los Angeles Clippers, Markeiff Morris to the Washington Wizards and Channing Frye to the Cleveland Cavaliers. All of those teams were interested in the stretch four and Anderson fit the mold, but the difference was the contract.

Anderson will get to test the market this off-season. He just so happened to stumble upon the offseason in which the most historic salary cap increase in NBA history is happening.

Most teams would assume that even if they traded for Anderson, they either are going to have to overpay him, or lose out on him this year with nothing to show for it. So with no value in their stretch four the Pelicans will more than likely put in their bid this offseason and walk away empty-handed.

If he wants to win, that historic increase will result in him seeing similar to what he made this year, which isn’t bad. But, if he wants the money, he can go to a lottery team that thinks he is a key to the NBA Finals. At 28 years old, Anderson faces the biggest professional decision of his career.

Here are the five teams that should sign Anderson this summer…

Next: Sacramento Kings