NBA New Orleans Pelicans

New Orleans Pelicans Should Strongly Consider Trading Austin Rivers

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Austin Rivers New Orleans Pelicans

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The NBA’s Western Conference is not for the faint of heart, but the New Orleans Pelicans are looking to put the West on notice. They are one of the fastest-rising teams in the league, except they just can’t seem to get over the hump. The youthful squad with much promise won’t be able to break through to the next level unless they strongly consider trading Austin Rivers.

The first-round draft pick from 2012 has not played like a No. 10 overall pick. As Rivers declared for the NBA draft after one year at Duke, many believed he was not ready and his game speaks volumes to that idea. In his third season, Rivers has only started 30 games and accumulated 988 points to date. His lack of physicality and infatuation with scoring over making the best basketball play has hurt his production in the league.

The Pelicans are on the upswing with Anthony Davis having a breakout season, leading the team to a current 7-5 record. Jrue Holiday and Eric Gordon can matchup with any backcourt in the association when they’re on top of their game. With the addition of Ryan Anderson’s three-point threat, New Orleans has a solid foundation for success. They just aren’t very deep coming off the pine and Rivers is a liability.

Rivers is in the last year of his rookie contract and will be come an unrestricted free agent after this season. If New Orleans can find some way to get rid of him for the likes of a Corey Brewer from the Minnesota Timberwolves, Andrei Kirilenko of the Brooklyn Nets, or even a draft pick. Then, they can continue to move in the right direction as a respectable, competitive franchise.

Winston Harris is a San Antonio sports writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on twitter @winstonharris34. “Like” him on Facebook and add him on Google.

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