Despite recently turning down a subtle LeBron James offer through the media, Anthony Davis is still not a sure shot to remain with the New Orleans Pelicans, despite his constant expression of loyalty to the franchise. The Boston Celtics will be the biggest outside threat to the Los Angeles Lakers for Davis, shall he choose to become a free agent — yet there is concern the All-Star forward will sign a short-term deal and cycle as James once did, according to ESPN's Zach Lowe.

There are worries around the league that Davis will turn down long-term deals altogether and cycle — as James did — between one- and two-year contracts until he reaches an age and stage in his career when he is ready to lock into something longer.

Many players are leaning toward flexibility and control of their destination over financial security, especially superstar players who remain rather unaffected by the market, given that they go to the top of the board each time they're slated to become free agents.

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Kevin Durant has recently mastered that art in his three years with the Golden State Warriors, signing nothing but one-plus-one contracts with a player option on the second year of the deal, allowing him to opt out and re-sign for a heftier figure the next year or seek out different options on the market with plenty of teams willing to shell out big bills.

Davis can be part of that same school of thought, allowing him to try out a different landscape or give New Orleans a short-term chance to prove worthy of finishing his career with the franchise.