HoopsHype.com Rumors

It is widely presumed around the league that Howard's former Orlando teammate Ryan Anderson, now in New Orleans, is the Lakers' No. 1 trade target if they were to consent to dealing Gasol. But sources told ESPN.com on Wednesday that Anderson is regarded as a virtual untouchable by the Hornets, given that the 24-year-old is not only a highly competent stretch power forward signed to a comparatively reasonable four-year contract but also because Anderson has proven to be an underrated rebounder. Rebounding and defense have long been areas of concern with Bargnani, who was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2006 draft. ESPN.com

Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans Hornets, Trade, Ryan Anderson 

Ryan Anderson is the No. 1 target of the Los Angeles Lakers if they decide to trade Pau Gasol, an NBA source tells SheridanHoops.com. But there are complications, and they begin in the Lakers front office. General manager Mitch Kupchak is opposed to moving Gasol, who has been benched in several fourth quarters ever since Mike D’Antoni took over as head coach. SheridanHoops

Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans Hornets, Trade, Pau Gasol, Ryan Anderson 

“They have a short list, and Anderson seems to be at the top,” the source told SheridanHoops on condition of anonymity. SheridanHoops

Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans Hornets, Trade, Pau Gasol, Ryan Anderson 

There have been dozens of rumors and reports linking the Lakers to players like New Orleans’ Ryan Anderson, Toronto’s Jose Calderon and Andrea Bargnani, and New York’s Amar’e Stoudemire; but, league sources say there just isn’t any substance to these rumors and reports and that the Lakers are not engaged in anything. HoopsWorld

Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans Hornets, New York Knicks, Toronto Raptors, Trade, Amare Stoudemire, Pau Gasol, Andrea Bargnani, Ryan Anderson 

The New Orleans Hornets gave forward Ryan Anderson a four-year, $36 million contract this summer, earning him some $9 million per season. The last person who thought he could or would earn that kind of money in the NBA was Anderson himself, who now finds himself as the veteran leader of an upstart New Orleans Hornets team. “For me I’ve always kind of been the underdog, an underdog guy,” Anderson told HOPSWORLD. “I’ve never really put too much on myself because I’ve always just felt blessed to do the next step. Blessed to get a college degree and play college basketball. Blessed to get drafted, and once that came, it was like, “I made it to the NBA!” it’s never like “I deserve this.” So I just feel really blessed, and God has opened a lot of great doors for me, and put me in the right positions and the right situations. It’s crazy to blink and see myself here now and with this role, and being a young veteran on this team. It’s fun; it’s a trip.” HoopsWorld

New Orleans Hornets, Ryan Anderson 

“We have the family atmosphere down,” explained Anderson. “I think that we can gel as a group really well. Obviously it’s just that experience. I think it’s coming out every night knowing how hard you have to play against these guys; the best players in the world. Continue to learn how each other plays, and that will come in time. Everybody is getting better. I just want to progress as we go with this team. It is a different situation than coming into Orlando which was already established; here we are working up to get established. I think it’s exciting to be a part of. We have the core values that really are needed for a winning team.” HoopsWorld

New Orleans Hornets, Ryan Anderson 

Steve Kyler: For those asking --- Hornets emphatically deny any interest in trading Ryan Anderson... they are absolutely thrilled with him. Twitter @stevekylerNBA

New Orleans Hornets, Trade, Ryan Anderson 

The name that keeps coming up for the Lakers is Ryan Anderson, the Hornets’ long-distance shooter who was once a Net and later played for three seasons with Howard in Orlando. He’d be perfect. But first, they want to see if Nash can jump-start Gasol. New York Daily News

Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans Hornets, Trade, Ryan Anderson 

Hornets Ryan Anderson told me funny story how NBA players do "credit-card roulette'' to see who buys expensive meal When several NBA players go out to an expensive place such as Morton's, each player will put his credit card in a jar. Then somebody will blindly draw a credit card out and that's the one that will pay for the meal. Sulia

New Orleans Hornets, Ryan Anderson 

Over the past year, the Hornets believe they have made the right moves in each of those three paths by acquiring high scoring guard Eric Gordon in the Paul trade, selecting former University of Kentucky standout Anthony Davis with the No. 1 overall pick in the draft and signing 2012 Most Improved Player award winner Ryan Anderson to a four-year, $34 million deal in free agency this past summer. Anderson has developed into one of the league’s premier shooting big men, but has struggled with his shot mightily during the preseason slate as he tries to carve out his niche with a new franchise. The veteran readily admits the transition has been somewhat of a struggle during the early going. “I’m trying to figure it out,” Anderson told HOOPSWORLD on finding his groove with the Hornets. “I mean it’s obviously a completely different system. We’ve put in a lot of plays, a lot of sets and we’re still trying to learn and figure out each other. The big thing is just learning how to play with your new teammates and knowing what their tendencies are.” HoopsWorld

New Orleans Hornets, Ryan Anderson 

Williams jumped into the drills, assuming his old power forward position working against his front-court players in an effort to get a feel on how they played, and give them personalized instruction on what he looks for in certain defensive sets. For newly acquired forward Ryan Anderson, who played for three years with the Orlando Magic under former coach Stan Van Gundy, not a former NBA player, it was rather eye-opening. "Stan wasn't as athletic as Monty," Anderson said diplomatically. "But he would definitely be very vocal during practice. I like the way Monty kind of mixes it in and shows you how to do some things, rather than just telling you. But they're both great coaches in their own (way). Monty is more of a hand's-on coach, which is great. It's really helping me adjust and learn quickly." New Orleans Times-Picayune

Orlando Magic, Monty Williams, Ryan Anderson 

As tumultuous as the last year in Orlando was with so much negativity and uncertainty surrounding center Dwight Howard, Anderson had nothing but praise for his former team and coach. “I had an amazing three years with Orlando,” Anderson said. “I learned so much as a player with that team and I’m really, really grateful to have spent those three years being coach by Stan Van Gundy, a guy who really challenged me and made me the player that I am now. Just having him give me the confidence that he did, especially last year. He always had faith in me but he always pushed me really hard, more than any of the other guys really because I think h expected a lot out of me and it’s a good feeling from such a great coach to have that coach have so much faith in you. That group of guys that were there were amazing guys who I will continue to be friends with so my experience in Orlando, I’ll never forget it. The people in Orlando are obviously amazing too. HoopsWorld

New Orleans Hornets, Orlando Magic, Ryan Anderson 

Before forward Ryan Anderson joined New Orleans July 11 via a sign-and-trade, the Jazz were involved in talks to acquire the former Orlando sharpshooter, The Salt Lake Tribune has learned. Salt Lake Tribune

New Orleans Hornets, Orlando Magic, Utah Jazz, Ryan Anderson 

To acquire Anderson, Utah likely would have been forced to give up power forward Paul Millsap. While the Jazz were interested in Anderson and considered making the deal, Utah ultimately backed off. Anderson was later sent to New Orleans, and the Jazz addressed their perimeter needs by signing unrestricted free agent guard Randy Foye on July 23. Utah also traded for small forward Marvin Williams during early July. Salt Lake Tribune

New Orleans Hornets, Orlando Magic, Utah Jazz, Ryan Anderson 

Mark Deeks: Orlando received a $4,350,000 trade exception in the Ryan Anderson sign-and-trade. Twitter

New Orleans Hornets, Orlando Magic, Trade, Ryan Anderson 

Daniel Orton: Very happy for @Ryan Anderson I'll miss ya this year bud. You deserve the best. Good luck and God bless. Twitter

Daniel Orton, Ryan Anderson 

Ryan Anderson: This whole process was a bit of a surprise to me, but I am so incredibly blessed to be apart of such a promising team now. I want to thank all the Magic fans for three unforgettable years. It has been an honor playing for you guys. Orlando will always be a second home to me! Twitter

Orlando Magic, Free Agency, Ryan Anderson 

The New Orleans Hornets continued to add to their rebuilding process Sunday, agreeing to terms with restricted free agent forward Ryan Anderson, the NBA’s 2012 Most Improved Player winner, on a four-year deal worth between $34 and $36 million, according to league sources. The acquisition will officially be a sign-and-trade deal, with the Magic receiving center Gustavo Ayon from New Orleans. The deal cannot be consummated until after the end of the July Moratorium on the 11th. NBA.com

New Orleans Hornets, Orlando Magic, Free Agency, Trade, Ryan Anderson, Gustavo Ayon 

The New Orleans Hornets' frontcourt is taking shape. Sources with knowledge of the talks told ESPN.com on Sunday that the Hornets and Orlando Magic reached agreement on a sign-and-trade deal that will send Magic forward Ryan Anderson to New Orleans to play alongside prized rookie Anthony Davis. ESPN.com

New Orleans Hornets, Orlando Magic, Trade, Ryan Anderson, Gustavo Ayon 

Ryan Anderson has reached agreement with the New Orleans Hornets on a four-year, $36 million contract in a sign-and-trade deal that will send backup center Gustavo Ayon to the Orlando Magic, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. Yahoo! Sports

New Orleans Hornets, Orlando Magic, Trade, Ryan Anderson, Gustavo Ayon