New Orleans Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin believes “there is reason to be optimistic” that superstar big man Anthony Davis could be open minded to staying in New Orleans.
Davis requested a trade from the Pelicans before the February trade deadline. New Orleans opted not to trade him and it's widely assumed they will try and trade him again this summer.
Griffin, though, is staying positive, citing his relationship with Davis' agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports. Paul, of course, represents Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James. The King and Griffin won the 2016 championship together with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
“But I look at the situation with very good optimism and the reason is I have a very good working relationship with Rich Paul,” Griffin said on ESPN's The Jump. “I think there’s going to be appreciation on his part for the fact that I would not have come here if it wasn’t for the fact that Mrs. Benson and her ownership team weren’t completely committed to winning. They very much are. Because of that, I think some of the concerns that Anthony probably had, we’re going to be able to alleviate.
“I feel like there is reason to be optimistic that he’s going to be open minded to coming back. But the real question is, what does it look like and can we give each other what we really need and be the sort of expression of greatness for one another. I hope that we can. But it’s certainly not something we believe can’t happen.”
Davis has one year left on his contract with the Pelicans. The All-Star said at his end-of-the-season press conference he's aware he could be back with the Pelicans next season.
The Lakers and Boston Celtics are the two teams everyone expects to reach out to the Pelicans this summer regarding a Davis trade.
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