More NBA Trade rumors on the horizon. Western teams on the fringe of the playoffs understand that they have to strengthen their line-ups. The New Orleans Pelicans are one of them.

Eric Gordon was the main asset from the Chris Paul trade. He was seen as a promising shooting guard, strong but undersized. He was one of the best of the powerful 2008 Draft Class (Derrick Rose, Kevin Love, Russel Westbrook) until he succumbed to injuries. It was not enough to deter him from attracting big offers, which he got from the Phoenix Suns. The Suns were desperate to find a new star after Steve Nash's departure so they took a chance on Gordon. However, he was a restricted free agent and despite his public appeal, New Orleans matched the offer and kept him.

Now, he's officially on the trading block. Sporting News' Sean Deveney reports:

"The problem with dealing Gordon is that the Pelicans are unlikely to get fair value. In his first two seasons with New Orleans, he played just 51 of 148 possible games, dealing with a variety of injuries. Around the league, the belief was that Gordon was bitter with New Orleans management for having matched the offer from Phoenix.

Gordon has been healthy this year, and is averaging 15.6 points on 43.9 percent shooting, making 38.5 percent of his 3-pointers. But that production doesn't match up with his contract, which calls for Gordon to make more than $14 million this year and $30 million over the next two years (he has a player option on the final year of the deal)."

Some teams that need real scoring and willing to take on Eric Gordon's contract can take him at a low price. Charlotte and Indiana could be two of them: From Bleacher Report:

Eric Gordon for Ben Gordon and the least favorable 1^st round pick of Charlotte (they could have three if they keep their own pick owed to the Bulls): "Ben Gordon is nothing more than a massive expiring deal, and the 'Cats could be working with as many as three first-round picks, assuming they fall out of the playoff picture, the Portland Trail Blazers don't plummet down the Western Conference standings and the Detroit Pistons make the postseason in the weaker of the two conferences. "

Eric Gordon for Danny Granger, straight up: "The Gordon-for-Granger rumors have been around forever, but that doesn't make them any less sensible. It's not too late for both teams to pull the trigger, especially now that Gordon is officially on the block. 

In fact, no trade would be more mutually beneficial. "