The New Orleans Pelicans know what they have in Anthony Davis, and they’re going to do everything necessary to keep in The Big Easy for as long as possible. The first step in that effort is signing Davis to a max contract extension as soon as the clock strikes midnight on July 1, which is exactly what they’re going to do, according to the Times-Picayune‘s John Reid.
Other than making an assertive to push to sign star power forward Anthony Davis to a five-year extension that exceeds $143 million starting on July 1, the Pelicans next order of business is making a push to re-sign starting center Omer Asik.
There are no-brainers, and then there’s extending the Brow.
Davis has barely scratched the surface on his potential, yet still wreaked havoc on the league last year, averaging 24 points, 10 rebounds and nearly three blocks per game with a 59 percent true shooting percentage and a 30.8 PER. He’s already improving his jump shot, he’s going to get even better on defense, and he could be the MVP of the league very soon. This year, he’ll have one of the highest-regarded coaches leading him, and a (hopefully) completely healthy roster to boot.
The Pelicans squeaked into the playoffs last season. With Davis one year wiser and better, coached by Alvin Gentry and supported by Jrue Holiday and Eric Gordon, they should make it back in (though, given how brutal the West is, they may not even be a higher seed).
In a league where you need a superstar to win a title, the New Orleans Pelicans have already accomplished the hard part. Now they just need to keep him with the team, happy and healthy, until he retires.
