Dell Demps said on Monday that the New Orleans Pelicans plan to use their cap space this summer and are open to trade possibilities -- even those that include Eric Gordon.

"We want to maximize opportunity to use cap space," Demps said.

Gordon signed a contract extension with New Orleans last offseason, but there have been rumors about the displeasure between he and the organization.

Gordon averaged 17 points and 3.3 assists in 42 games this season.

After getting into a heated argument with Eric Gordon last Friday, Monty Williams made it clear that he will keep pushing the New Orleans Hornets' guard to become a better player rather than easing up.

"He’s a dynamic guard, that’s why I push him,’’ said Williams, who plans to start Gordon for the second consecutive since the incident on Tuesday night when the Hornets play the Lakers at the Staples Center. "I’m not going to allow him to settle for where he is in his career right now. He’s got to get better. If he gets better, he should be an All-Star someday.’’

Gordon believes he will continue getting better with time, saying next season will be a big year for him. He also downplayed the altercation with Williams.

"It got very heated in the moment, but I’m not letting none of that get to me,’’ Gordon said. ``I’m just out here, still trying to play.’’

The New Orleans Hornets were unable to pull off a trade of Eric Gordon before February's trade deadline, but that doesn't mean they are done shopping him.

The Hornets are still likely to remain open to trading him after this season ends, according to sources.

Gordon reportedly engaged in a confrontation with New Orleans coach Monty Williams during Friday night's game against the Utah Jazz.

Eric Gordon was benched following a verbal altercation with Monty Williams during the Hornets’ loss to Utah on Friday.

"Nothing wrong physically," Gordon said. "It was his decision just to take me out of the game for the rest of the game. I thought we were (in a good flow). You always make adjustments throughout the game. We're down at halftime by two points, and two or three possessions (in the third quarter), I'm out of there. I'd love to figure (it) out. You always want to do what's best for the team. Since he took me out, he took me out.

"I definitely wanted to be out there for sure."

Gordon played 13 minutes in the first half, making two of his 3 shot attempts and committing 3 turnovers.

The New Orleans Hornets want Anthony Davis to focus on building physical strength this summer.

Monty Williams would like Davis to have a body similar to LaMarcus Aldridge, who is listed at 6-foot-11 and 255 pounds.

Davis carries just 220 pounds on his 6-foot-11 frame.

"[Aldridge] is a great example," Davis said. "L.A. came in looking like me, Dwight [Howard] came in looking like me, Kevin Durant, and they are all doing well in the league. That's a great comparison from coach. I am just trying to get better and stronger so I can eventually be on the level that they are."

Hornets strength and conditioning coach Carlos Daniel is still trying to determine what the best weight is for Davis.

Said Daniel, "People will say, 'This kid will look good at this weight,' but I don't 100 percent buy into that because you can look at guys like Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan, Tyson Chandler, those guys haven't put on an extreme amount of weight over their careers."