Anthony Davis and the New Orleans Pelicans are entering an interesting season where things could look very different for the franchise once it’s over. Davis is under contract with the Pelicans and has said he doesn’t want to go anywhere, but despite all that many assume he could end up on another team if the season goes south in New Orleans.
The Los Angeles Lakers are the common thought, as Davis could join LeBron James and company in Hollywood — his signing with agent Rich Paul only further fueled those rumors. Kyrie Irving has admitted to talking with Davis about signing in Boston, and the Celtics have been floated as a landing spot for some time.
That’s all talk, though. The fact of the matter is that Davis is a Pelican, a team that upset the Trail Blazers in the first round despite not having DeMarcus Cousins on the roster. There’s a lot to like in New Orleans, it’s just all a bit tenuous. But Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry said that if he has his way, Davis isn’t going anywhere.
Gentry spoke to reporters about Davis and had a pretty great line when asked about Davis’ value.
Alvin Gentry on Anthony Davis: “When you have someone who you can trade for anyone, I think that makes him the best. Or at least most valuable. … Now, we aren’t considering that. We wouldn’t trade him for anyone. Even Beyoncé. I think that makes him untouchable.” #Pelicans
— Andrew Lopez (@_Andrew_Lopez) October 15, 2018
The Beyoncé line is funny, but Gentry is giving Davis some high praise here. Having a player you can trade for “anybody” is, indeed, a very valuable thing indeed. It’s also what would make Davis so valuable on the free agent market if he were to get there in a few years. Still, Davis says he’s happy, and the potential of a supermax extension this summer is a pretty good reason to be pleased right now. Everybody is happy in New Orleans. But that might all be different at season’s end.
