The New Orleans Pelicans don’t seem particularly concerned about superstar power forward Anthony Davis changing agents, according to a report from Scott Kushner of The Advocate.
Davis recently parted ways with his longtime agent Thad Foucher. Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, who represents Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James, is a leading contender to sign Davis. Paul also represents Philadelphia 76ers point-forward Ben Simmons, Washington Wizards point guard John Wall and Milwaukee Bucks guard Eric Bledsoe.
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 for a supermax contract worth over $230 million beginning in 2019. Some Pelicans fans began to worry that Davis might want to leave New Orleans and join James in Los Angeles after reports surfaced Rich Paul is the favorite to become Davis’ new agent.
Davis has consistently said he wants to stay in New Orleans for his entire career and win with the Pelicans.
The Chicago native had another stellar campaign in 2017-18. In 75 regular season games, Davis averaged 28.1 points, 11.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists while shooting 53.4 percent from the floor and 34.0 percent from three. The Pelicans won their first playoff series in the 2018 postseason since Davis was drafted first overall in the 2012 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.
Anthony Davis played a big role in recruiting Randle to New Orleans. In 82 games last season with the Lakers, Randle averaged 16.1 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists, shooting 55.8 percent from the field and 22.2 percent from three. The second year of Randle’s contract with the Pelicans is a player option, so he can become an unrestricted free agent again in 2019.
