The speculation circling around Anthony Davis’ future with the New Orleans Pelicans continues to gain additional attention as they are still struggling following an encouraging start to their season.
The Pels have come up short in seven of their last ten outings but owner Gayle Benson believes the team still has a blueprint in place for success, and it all starts with Davis and their young core. “I think this thing with the horses, and even the Pelicans at the beginning of the season, well now they’re not doing so great, but I think we just need to give them a little bit more time,” Benson told The Athletic.
She would also go on to put the future of Davis squarely in his own hands, stating that while she loves AD, it’ll ultimately be his decision. “I think they’re young, and we’re going to invest more money and get the big players and do everything we can to keep Anthony (Davis) here. I really like what we have in place. I really like Anthony, but if he wants to leave, you can’t hold him back.”
Of course, Benson is referring to the potential $240 million max extension the Pelicans would be able to offer Anthony Davis this coming summer. Davis could turn the extension down and play out the final year of his deal before making a more sound free agency decision in the summer of 2020.
Or Davis could prove his loyalty and stay with New Orleans, especially considering they can easily provide him with the most lucrative contract. But if Davis were to go through this coming offseason without agreeing to an extension, it may behoove New Orleans to then explore potential trade options for the superstar big, if they haven’t begun to do so already.
We’ve seen Davis be linked to a variety of other NBA franchises, namely the Los Angeles Lakers and of course the Boston Celtics who have reportedly been in pursuit for years. It remains to be seen whether Davis will join forces with other stars elsewhere when the opportunity arises, but that career-altering decision will be only his to make.
