— The proverbial countdown clock continues to tick for Anthony Davis and the New Orleans Pelicans.
As The Athletic reported on Wednesday, Davis and his agent, Rich Paul, met with new Pelicans Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations David Griffin in Los Angeles, a sit-down that allowed Griffin to paint the picture of his vision to the Pelicans’ star player. Davis requested a trade from the Pelicans in January, and as reported after New Orleans won the No. 1 pick in the draft lottery on May 14, his stance had not changed following that seemingly unexpected positive result for the franchise.
While the sit-down on Wednesday was said to have been respectful and productive, Davis’ stance regarding his desire for a trade is highly unlikely to change, league sources have said. As teams continue placing calls into New Orleans, Griffin has begun listening to teams and their inquiries on Davis, league sources told The Athletic. Previously, the Pelicans had been trying to pitch Davis to stay — and now they are at least open to hearing people out.
Griffin has made sharp moves since taking over as the leader of the Pelicans’ front office, hiring Trajan Langdon from the Brooklyn Nets to be his general manager and bringing over members of the Phoenix Suns’ highly-regarded training staff to New Orleans. It is also true that Griffin and Paul share a strong relationship, dating back to Griffin’s time with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Paul being the agent of Cavaliers players LeBron James, J.R. Smith and Tristan Thompson. But Davis’ mind will almost assuredly not change. That would also mean bypassing the super maximum extension that only New Orleans could offer Davis in July.
The Pelicans are on stable footing right now: An All-Star-type talent in Jrue Holiday signed long-term, cap flexibility, a fortified front office … and, most importantly, the No. 1 overall pick to select Zion Williamson. The potential faces of the franchise, Williamson and Holiday, could set Griffin’s era in motion in a positive light. With or without Davis, the Pelicans are building a sustainable model.
Between now and the draft, teams will continue placing calls into the Pelicans. They already have been, and Griffin has started to listen, sources said. Griffin has the option of keeping Davis until the February trade deadline, if not all season, but the fact that Davis’ stance remains firm means the same thing now as it would later.
Across the NBA, rival executives believe the following teams will be able to compile the best packages: The Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets. Davis’ preferred destinations list of four teams includes the Lakers, Knicks and LA Clippers and that will embolden those teams to pursue him strongest of all.
As for Davis himself, he is in wait-and-see mode now and simply going about his workout regimen with fellow Pelicans players such as Holiday, Frank Jackson and Stanley Johnson. Griffin and Holiday spent time with each other in Los Angeles as well, league sources said, as Griffin continues to build strong rapports throughout his roster. Holiday is a cornerstone for the Pelicans, a two-way guard who has shouldered a leadership role for the franchise.
For the Pelicans and Davis, the clock is still ticking down after Wednesday and the ball is rolling down the court.
As The Athletic reported on Wednesday, Davis and his agent, Rich Paul, met with new Pelicans Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations David Griffin in Los Angeles, a sit-down that allowed Griffin to paint the picture of his vision to the Pelicans’ star player. Davis requested a trade from the Pelicans in January, and as reported after New Orleans won the No. 1 pick in the draft lottery on May 14, his stance had not changed following that seemingly unexpected positive result for the franchise.
While the sit-down on Wednesday was said to have been respectful and productive, Davis’ stance regarding his desire for a trade is highly unlikely to change, league sources have said. As teams continue placing calls into New Orleans, Griffin has begun listening to teams and their inquiries on Davis, league sources told The Athletic. Previously, the Pelicans had been trying to pitch Davis to stay — and now they are at least open to hearing people out.
Griffin has made sharp moves since taking over as the leader of the Pelicans’ front office, hiring Trajan Langdon from the Brooklyn Nets to be his general manager and bringing over members of the Phoenix Suns’ highly-regarded training staff to New Orleans. It is also true that Griffin and Paul share a strong relationship, dating back to Griffin’s time with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Paul being the agent of Cavaliers players LeBron James, J.R. Smith and Tristan Thompson. But Davis’ mind will almost assuredly not change. That would also mean bypassing the super maximum extension that only New Orleans could offer Davis in July.
The Pelicans are on stable footing right now: An All-Star-type talent in Jrue Holiday signed long-term, cap flexibility, a fortified front office … and, most importantly, the No. 1 overall pick to select Zion Williamson. The potential faces of the franchise, Williamson and Holiday, could set Griffin’s era in motion in a positive light. With or without Davis, the Pelicans are building a sustainable model.
Between now and the draft, teams will continue placing calls into the Pelicans. They already have been, and Griffin has started to listen, sources said. Griffin has the option of keeping Davis until the February trade deadline, if not all season, but the fact that Davis’ stance remains firm means the same thing now as it would later.
Across the NBA, rival executives believe the following teams will be able to compile the best packages: The Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets. Davis’ preferred destinations list of four teams includes the Lakers, Knicks and LA Clippers and that will embolden those teams to pursue him strongest of all.
As for Davis himself, he is in wait-and-see mode now and simply going about his workout regimen with fellow Pelicans players such as Holiday, Frank Jackson and Stanley Johnson. Griffin and Holiday spent time with each other in Los Angeles as well, league sources said, as Griffin continues to build strong rapports throughout his roster. Holiday is a cornerstone for the Pelicans, a two-way guard who has shouldered a leadership role for the franchise.
For the Pelicans and Davis, the clock is still ticking down after Wednesday and the ball is rolling down the court.
shoulda been listening tbh