2016 NBA Trade Rumor: New Orleans Pelicans have interest in Kenneth Faried

According to a report by Sam Amico yesterday, the New Orleans Pelicans have expressed an interest in Kenneth Faried.

“Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried is also said to be available, with the Thunder and Pelicans among the teams to express an interest, sources told Amico Hoops.”

Well, well, well.

With 15 players under contract and around $97 million dollars already budgeted for the upcoming season, many assumed the Pelicans were finished making moves this summer, especially following the recent Greg Monroe rumors and no action.

This news may indicate Dell Demps has other ideas and would desperately like to make an additional personnel change prior to the start of training camp. Perhaps the front office was forced to focus their attention elsewhere as they were unwilling to meet the demands of the Milwaukee Bucks.

Back in 2014, Faried and Anthony Davis were a formidable tandem on the gold-winning USA team during World Cup competition. It was hard to miss the duo playing with an incredible amount of energy together, dominating the paint against all opponents.

With the modern NBA game continuing to move in the direction of small ball, Faried might make a lot of sense for Demps. The pair has played well together in the past, and with Davis reportedly working further on expanding his range, Faried’s limited perimeter game would likely not be much of a hinderance.

Faried has 3 years left on his current deal and is slated to make $12,078,652 this upcoming season. Would the Nuggets be desperate enough to move him for a rehabilitating Tyreke Evans and some future draft pick? Maybe, but it’s difficult to envision, though, Denver having interest in receiving back either Omer Asik or Alexis Ajinca with Nikola Jokic, Jusuf Nurkic and Joffrey Lauvergne all sitting on their roster.

Will Demps be able to strike a deal with his former assistant general manager, Tim Connelly? Stay tuned for further developments!