Anthony Davis wants to stay with Pelicans for long haul
By mdelaney
As the trade deadline looms, rumors intensify. New Orleans Pelicans’ All-Star forward Anthony Davis assured his franchise he doesn’t have eyes for another team.
Anthony Davis ended the debate on whether the star forward would look to leave the hapless Pelicans by the trade deadline or beyond.
“Look, I’m here. If I was thinking about leaving, I’d never re-sign [last summer]. I’m here to stay,” Davis told ESPN Radio’s Meet The All-Stars show that will air Saturday night at 5:30 p.m. ET.
That’s reassuring for his team and the city of New Orleans. Davis inked a five-year, $127 million dollar extension last summer. Despite the recency, it didn’t stop the media from probing Davis about possible interest in linking up with current Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star Russell Westbrook on the Los Angeles Lakers in the near future. Davis denied that was even a thought on his mind and reaffirmed his intent to stay in NOLA and work with his growing team.
“I don’t plan on leaving, so make sure you write that down,” Davis told the Times-Picayune’s Jeff Duncan. “I don’t pay attention to (the rumors), I don’t know who said it or how it came about. I’m with the Pelicans right now.”
Davis is focusing on getting the Pelicans in contention for the playoffs and put the franchise on the map and staying healthy and improving his consistency.
A key cog in the team’s machine is point guard Jrue Holiday, who’s set to hit the open market this summer. Davis said he’s heavily involved in the team-wide effort to keep Holiday but ultimately knows Holiday will make whatever decision is best for him.
Davis is having a career year, averaging 27.9 points and 12.1 rebounds per game. However, the Pelicans are hampered by injury and sit 2.5 games back from the Western Conference’s eighth and final playoff spot with a 23-34 record.
Murmurings that New Orleans is looking to bolster the cast around Davis with Philadelphia 76ers Jahlil Okafor or the Brooklyn Nets’ Brooks Lopez before the trade deadline have been floated, but no further action has been reported. Davis trusts his front office will put the team in a position to succeed while he continues to do so on the court.