There is a “zero percent chance” the New Orleans Pelicans trade superstar power forward Anthony Davis this season, according to Tim Bontemps of The Washington Post.
Davis has two years and $52 million left on his contract with the Pelicans, plus a $29 million player option for the 2020-21 season. The five-time All-Star is eligible in 2019 for a supermax contract worth over $230 million that would start in 2020.
“I don’t think there’s any chance, I’m going to say, now. I think there’s a zero percent chance that Anthony Davis is traded this year — under any circumstances,” Bontemps said on the Chris Mannix Podcast. “The only caveat I would give to that is if Anthony Davis announces: ‘I need to be traded today.’ But I do not see him doing that and I do not see the Pelicans trading him under any circumstances.”
Davis recently parted ways with his longtime agent, Thad Foucher. Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, who represents Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James, is a leading contender to sign Davis, according to a report by ESPN. Paul also represents Philadelphia 76ers point forward Ben Simmons, Washington Wizards point guard John Wall and Milwaukee Bucks guard Eric Bledsoe.
Davis had another stellar campaign in 2017-18. In 75 regular-season games, Davis averaged 28.1 points, 11.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game while shooting 53.4 percent from the floor and 34.0 percent from 3.
The Pelicans won their first playoff series in the 2018 postseason since Davis was drafted first overall in the 2012 NBA Draft. New Orleans swept the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round and Davis was a man among boys. In the four-game sweep, Davis posted 33.0 points, 11.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 2.8 blocks per game.
Davis and the Pelicans lost to the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Semifinals in five games, but it was still a step in the right direction for the franchise.
The Pelicans have had some roster turnover this summer, though. DeMarcus Cousins signed with the Warriors and Rajon Rondo joined the Lakers. New Orleans signed Elfrid Payton to replace Rondo and Julius Randle to replace Cousins.
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