Newly-hired New Orleans Pelicans’ executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin isn’t giving up on the team’s superstar Anthony Davis. Although Davis made a trade request in February, Griffin still hopes he will manage to keep the 26-year-old All-Star in New Orleans.
“We have a very long and successful history together with Klutch Sports,” – said Griffin on Wednesday referring to the agency that represents Davis. “Rich Paul [who leads Klutch Sports] and I have spoken about Anthony, and I think we’re both excited about what we can potentially build here.”
Griffin isn’t the only one who thinks Davis might have a change of hearts as Pelicans’ owner Gayle Benson also expressed optimism about the situation involving their best player.
“We certainly don’t want somebody here whose heart isn’t in it, but hopefully Anthony will have a change of heart, and if he does, we’ll welcome him back with open arms,” – said Benson. “We’d like for him to stay if everybody agrees to it.”
Anthony Davis, who is eligible to become a free agent in the summer of 2020 informed New Orleans Pelicans on January 28 that he won’t sign an extension with the team and that he wants to be traded. Although Los Angeles Lakers made a strong push for Davis, Pelicans decided to keep the player until the summer hoping to get some better offers.
Davis averaged 25.9 points, 12.0 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 2.4 games in the regular season as the Pelicans finished on the 13th spot in the Western Conference.