Pelicans To Pick Up Anthony Davis’ Option, Decline Austin Rivers

The New Orleans Pelicans will be picking up the fourth-year option for big man Anthony Davis but declining the third-year option of guard Austin Rivers

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The New Orleans Pelicans held the first and 10th-overall selections in the 2012

Draft.

They used the first selection on former Kentucky Wildcats‘ big man Anthony Davis, who is turning into an absolute superstar. The 10th-overall pick was used on former Duke Blue Devils‘ guard Austin Rivers, who hasn’t exactly turned into a superstar.

On Friday, the Pelicans officially announced they would be picking up the fourth-year option on Anthony Davis.

However, according to Jimmy Smith of The New Orleans Times-Picayune, the Pelicans will not be picking up the option on Austin Rivers. Smith goes on to say the Pelicans “like Rivers as player, but decision not to pick up option is financial due to potential salary cap implications.”

It makes sense to lock up Anthony Davis for as long as they can (they will likely be offering a max contract the second they can) while declining Austin Rivers’ option for financial stability.

The Pelicans were decimated by injuries last year and hope that a healthy team who added former Chicago Bulls and Houston Rockets‘ center Omer Asik can get into the playoffs in a loaded Western Conference. Although their starting back court may be set with Jrue Holiday and Eric Gordon, Austin Rivers could provide valuable minutes off of the bench and if he can show improvement, could benefit from his extension being turned down in free agency.

Anthony Davis averaged 20.8 points, 10.0 rebounds, 2.8 blocks, 1.6 assists and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 51.9% from the field, 22.2% from three and 79.1% from the free throw line last season. In his career, he’s averaged 17.3 points, 9.1 rebounds, 2.3 blocks, 1.3 assists and 1.3 steals while shooting 51.8% from the floor, 13.3% from three and 77.7% from the free throw line. Austin Rivers went for 7.7 points, 2.3 assists and 1.9 rebounds per game while shooting 40.5% from the field, 36.4% from three and 63.6% from the free throw line last season. In his career, he has put up 7.0 points, 2.2 assists and 1.8 rebounds per game while shooting 39.0% from the floor, 34.6% from the three and 60.1% from the foul line.

The New Orleans Pelicans will be picking up the fourth-year option for big man Anthony Davis but declining the third-year option of guard Austin Rivers

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