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The New Orleans Pelicans have had an up-and-down history. In their 16-year history, they have appeared in the playoffs seven times, including two series victories and one division title. They have also been unable to keep their star talent happy.
They had David West, who they drafted 18th overall in the 2003 NBA Draft, and then he opted out of his contract in late June of 2011 to sign with the Indiana Pacers. Chris Paul, who they drafted 4th overall in 2005, was traded halfway through a 4-year $68 million dollar contract extension he signed in 2008.
By this point, in 2011, the New Orleans franchise was operated by the NBA. A trade for Paul to the Los Angeles Lakers was not approved but Paul was ultimately traded to the Clippers.
Now, they may have a similar issue with Anthony Davis. Since AD has been in the Association, the Pelicans have made the playoffs twice in 2015 and 2018. For the 2017-18 season, the Pelicans were 4th overall in the Western Conference and had a regular season record of 48-34. They knocked off the Portland Trailblazers in the first round and then lost in 5 games to the NBA champions Golden State Warriors.
However, for all the positive results last season, the Pelicans are struggling quite a bit this season. With a win-loss record of 15-19 right now, the Pelicans are the second-worst team in the NBA’s Western Conference. This leaves New Orleans general manager Dell Demps with a franchise-changing decision to make.
In 6 seasons in New Orleans, AD is a 5-time all-star, a one-time all-star game MVP, a three-time shot block leader and he is the Pelicans’ leader in points and rebounds every year since his rookie season. This season he is putting up MVP type numbers.
Demps needs to either surround his star with the type of talent that will compete or make a trade and look to the future. The Pelicans gave Davis a 5-year $145 million contract extension to his rookie deal in July of 2015.
Davis is now in the third year of that extension and has a player option he can exercise by June 30th, 2019, making him an unrestricted free agent . Demps is under the gun and will need to make a decision very soon.
The Situation
Anthony Davis is an absolute star. He defends, blocks shots, rebounds, handles the ball and scores. However, basketball is a team game and the Pelicans have taken a major step backwards this season.
While Davis hasn’t said anything, the suspicion is that he’s frustrated. In 6 seasons with Davis, the Pelicans have only made the playoffs twice. As mentioned, at the end of the 2019 season, Davis can opt out of his deal to leave New Orleans and sign anywhere he wants to.
This would leave Dell Demps with a humongous hole on the roster to fill. So Demps has to be thinking, do I take the chance and do nothing? Do I try and trade for better talent and try to make the playoffs hoping Davis stays or trade Davis by the February 7th, 2019 trade deadline and move on? It can’t be an easy choice.
The Pelicans are already the 5th worst team by home attendance at 15,372 fans per game. Any decision that removes Anthony Davis from the line-up likely affects those numbers. The Pelicans are only 6 years and 8 months removed from financial uncertainty when Tom Benson purchased the team from the NBA for $338 million dollars. A loss of Davis to free agency or via trade could be devastating.
Dell Demps does have one really strong card to play its guaranteed money. If Davis stays, he is due to earn $ 27 million next season and $28 million the year after that. We are talking $55 million dollars, plus if Davis finishes out the commitment he signed in the summer of 2015.
Further, Davis’ value to the Pelicans would be equal to 35% of their cap space as of the 2020-21 season. Any other team could only offer 30% of their cap space. Essentially, Davis would be losing potential earnings. A super max deal of 5 years and $230 million dollars awaits Davis in the summer of 2020 if he's loyal to New Orleans.
What Does Anthony Davis Want?
Anthony Davis has not asked for a trade and stated he wants to be in New Orleans. However, the rumours and discussions still persist. For his part, Davis has stated:
"I'd take legacy over money," Davis told Yahoo Sports after Friday's 112-104 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. "I want to have a legacy.
"All my people that look up to me, the younger kids, I want them to know about AD's legacy. Championships, the things I do in the community, being a good teammate, playing hard. All that stuff matters the most to me. Don't get me wrong, money is amazing. But I think in that sense, money or legacy, I think my legacy will win that battle every time."
Many people are dissecting this statement for a clue or an inside track to what Anthony Davis will do. If he was being honest and there is no reason to believe he wasn't, Davis has charitable roots in New Orleans.
He runs the AD Flight Academy and holds basketball camps in New Orleans. Is his legacy about being grateful and contributing to the community he plays in or is he itching to win NBA awards and championships?
He could do both elsewhere. He could have trusted locals, family or friends in New Orleans carry on his work in the New Orleans community and return when he can, but shine as a basketball player on a super team somewhere else.
If legacy is greater than money, he will still get paid handsomely by any NBA team he plays for. It just would not be for as much as he could get in New Orleans. When fans look back on the great players of different eras, it's usually their individual stats and championship victories that are lauded most about legends.
AD might not be recognized as an on-court legend, like Stephen Curry, Kobe Bryant or even LeBron James staying in New Orleans. Until he either asks and accepts a trade away from the Pelicans or stays and re-signs long term, the speculation will swirl about Anthony Davis' future.
The Pressure
Pressure is being placed on Davis to leave New Orleans. Other superstars see an opportunity to form a super team with the "Brow" and cementing their basketball legacy right along with Davis.
While many will say because a player does not sign another player’s cheque, one player using his connections and relationships to influence the other player, is not tampering. If you are Dell Demps, it really puts you at a disadvantage because general managers cannot do the same thing. LeBron James was asked about the Lakers acquiring Davis’ services and James stated:
“That would be amazing, like, duh. That would be incredible."
It's not just LeBron James either. Giannis Antetekoumnpoalso echoed James’ sentiments except on behalf of Milwaukee. The Greek Freak told Davis recently after a match between the Bucks and Pelicans:
"Come to the Bucks, man," Antetokounmpo said before shaking Davis's hand. "Come to the Bucks."
Players and general managers see and recognize the talent that is Anthony Davis and every team is salivating at the opportunity to acquire him. The man who has Davis’ name on a contract has to try and figure out how to keep his star with all this noise buzzing louder around the situation. Demps must be talking to the Raptors general manager Bobby Webster who has a similar contract issue with Kawhi Leonard.
Trade Rumors Concerning AD
There are two rumors that persist about Anthony Davis. First, the Boston Celtics have excessive depth on the wings with players like Gordon Hayward and third string point guard Terry Rozier. Hayward is still trying to rediscover his game after a serious injury last year and plays the same position as a young talented Jayson Tatum.
Rozier wasn’t given a contract extension in November. With Kyrie Irving on the roster and having already committed nearly $50 million to Marcus Smart over 4 years, Rozier is a luxury at the point guard spot for Boston. With Al Horford suffering knee pain and Aron Baynes out for 4-6 weeks with a broken hand, the Celtics could use a legitimate dominant center.
The Celtics' style of play is extremely perimeter-oriented and Davis would bring a two-way interior player who has a complete game. It would be a deal that could shift the balance of power in the East. Boston has struggled for much of this season and that would change with Davis in the line-up.
The problem with this rumor is the Kyrie Irving's 2015 rookie contract extension. The NBA's CBA prevents teams from trading for multiple players of that contract type. Therefore, Boston would have to wait until the summer to make an offer to the Pelicans. It also gets complicated because if Davis opts out of his contract, there would have to be a re-signing with the Pelicans and then a trade to the Celtic or the Celtics will try and sign Davis as a free agent.
The other rumor is a trade to the Los Angeles Lakers. After missing the playoffs last year, the Lakers are holding the 4th overall playoff spot in the Western Conference this year at 19-14. A weak spot for the Lakers is the center position.
Javale McGee played well early but had been out with an injury. The Lakers signed 37-year-old Tyson Chandler after he was bought out by the Phoenix Suns to back up McGee as centers Moritz Wagner Lvica Zubac had been struggling. Davis would lend immediate legitimacy to the LeBron James-led Lakers and make them a real threat to Golden State’s dominance over the Western Conference.
Regardless as to what happens from January 2nd, 2019 thru February 7th, 2019, it will be a nail-biting time for the Pelicans' fan base. All the Pelicans fans have is all-star center Anthony Davis, who, barring a trade, will represent New Orleans at the All-Star Game for the 6th time in 2019.
He is also playing like an MVP. The problem is the support players around him are not helping to lead the team to the next level. Whether he plays for New Orleans or another team, Anthony Davis will be well paid and will be a super star in the NBA.
Guess the Lakers players!
