In just his third season, which became a true breakout season, Anthony Davis cemented himself as one of the best talents in the NBA, averaging over 24 points and 10 rebounds per game including over 30 points and 10 rebounds in his playoff debut against the Golden State Warriors.
Davis would be eligible for restricted free agency come next summer, but that might not be an issue, as the New Orleans Pelicans are preparing a massive five-year, $143 million extension for their star power forward, according to John Reid of the New Orleans Times-Picayune.
ESPN’s Marc Stein reported in April that the Pelicans would be preparing an extension of this nature to Davis in the offseason.
Reid’s report indicated that the Pelicans next priority will be to re-sign free agent center Omer Asik, though there are other centers available in free agency should Asik opt to sign elsewhere. New head coach Alvin Gentry on the roster:
”I can say that I want the whole roster back,” new head coach Alvin Gentry said last week. ”I like the roster that we have. Like I said this team never really had that roster to play any length of time together. So I look at guys in certain situations and see how they are and I think it would have been interesting to see all these guys healthy and playing together.”
Gentry certainly has the confidence in his star player Anthony Davis. The Pelicans have young assets with more room to develop around Davis, and assuming he signs this extension, which the team would have until October 31 to convince him to do, he’ll remain the centerpiece for this team through at least 2021.
