Pelicans Exploring Eric Gordon Trades

The Pelicans have been active in their pursuit of a trade involving Eric Gordon, according to Sean Deveney of the Sporting News, who says that New Orleans has contacted several clubs about Gordon, exploring three-team scenarios as well. Grantland’s Zach Lowe adds (via Twitter) that he has heard similar rumblings.

Gordon, who was acquired by the Pelicans in the 2011 trade that sent Chris Paul to the Clippers, signed a maximum-salary offer sheet with the Suns in the summer of 2012, which the Pelicans attempted to match, protecting their asset. Since then though, Gordon has been the subject of several trade rumors and much speculation, particularly after New Orleans traded for Jrue Holiday and Tyreke Evans this past offseason.

According to Deveney, the Pelicans are seeking frontcourt help, with an eye on acquiring a player who could start alongside Anthony Davis. It’s not clear though whether Gordon would have much value as a trade chip. While he’s been healthy this year, starting 31 games for the Pelicans, the 25-year-old has missed significant chunks of the last couple seasons, and is also earning a sizable salary. Including this season, Gordon’s current deal pays him nearly $15MM annually in its three remaining years before expiring in 2016. According to Lowe (Twitter link), teams around the league are intrigued by Gordon, but wary of taking on his contract.

Deveney’s report surfaced around the same time that the Pelicans announced Holiday would be sidelined indefinitely due to a stress fracture in his right tibia. Without Holiday in the backcourt for the next little while, the club may be less inclined to move Gordon for a frontcourt piece.

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