The New Orleans Pelicans have struggled to win on a consistent basis this season. They are currently 14th in the Westrern Conference with an 18-22 record and have lost seven of their last ten games. Unfortunately for New Orleans, it doesn't look like they will be able to turn this season around anytime soon.
The Pelicans' mediocrity the main reason why trade rumors involving New Orleans' superstar big man Anthony Davis started to intensify in recent weeks. The Pelicans front office has constantly said they do not plan to trade their Davis but, with the unpredictable nature of the NBA, that could change in a few months.
New Orleans can offer Davis a whopping five year, $239 million supermax contract but the consensus around the league is that the All-Star big will decline the extension. With that move, or perhaps even before then if the Pels feel as if their chances of re-signing him are slim, New Orleans will be inclined to move him.
That could very well be the case, as Davis told Yahoo Sports' Chris Haynes last year that he will prefer legacy over money in making his next decision.
“I want to have a legacy. All my people that look up to me, the younger kids, I want them to know about AD's legacy. Championships, the things I do in the community, being a good teammate, playing hard. All that stuff matters the most to me. Don't get me wrong, money is amazing. But I think in that sense, money or legacy, I think my legacy will win that battle every time.”
Davis remains loyal to the Pelicans and he wants to see what the front office will do to improve the team this season. However, Davis also reiterates he wants to win as soon as possible.
Joe Vardon of The Athletic had a chance to chat with Davis regarding his uncertain future in New Orleans and Davis' view of his situation remains unchanged.
“I never said money wasn’t important. Somebody asked me about money or your legacy. In that case, your legacy lasts forever. Your money comes and goes, but for me I want to build a legacy. In that case, if you have to choose between money or legacy, I think legacy wins every time, in my opinion.”
“Winning first. Individual performance. Team success. For an individual player, how does he make his team better? All that stuff is about performance on the floor. And of course, winning. Everybody might be different in their own eye. I think for me I want winning to be a part of my legacy. Everybody might be different. Some people might just care about individual stats, individual goals, individual accolades, but for me, I want winning to be a part of my legacy.”
The Pelicans would do everything in their power to keep Davis, but whether or not they will be able to make him stay in New Orleans is a completely different story.
Davis has been doing his part to help the franchise. It is now their turn to reciprocate; either build a team that will be competitive enough to win in the postseason or allow Davis to walk away and be successful somewhere else.
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