Shams: Anthony Davis Likely to Make 'Full Evaluation' of Pelicans in Offseason
MIKE CHIARIJANUARY 23, 2019
Jim Mone/Associated Press
New Orleans Pelicans center Anthony Davis is reportedly set to make a "full evaluation" of his situation with the Pels during the upcoming offseason.
According to
Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, Davis hasn't yet reached the point where he intends to request a trade this season.
Davis is dealing with a finger injury, and he could miss two to four weeks if a hand specialist diagnoses him with an avulsion fracture in his left index finger, per his agent, Rich Paul.
The 2019-20 season is Davis' final year under contract with the Pelicans before he can opt out and become a free agent.
There has been no public indication regarding whether Davis plans to sign a long-term extension with the Pelicans or test the open market.
The 25-year-old big man is enjoying an MVP-caliber season for the Pelicans with averages of 29.3 points, 13.3 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 2.6 blocks per game.
While Davis has thrived individually in New Orleans to the tune of five All-Star nods in seven seasons, team success has been hard to come by.
The Pels have made the playoffs just twice during Davis' tenure, and they won a playoff series under him for the first time last season before getting knocked out in the second round by the
Golden State Warriors.
This season, the Pelicans are 12th in the Western Conference at 22-25, and they are three games out of a playoff spot.
If Davis misses significant time, it seems unlikely that they will rally and nab a postseason berth.
The Pelicans are stuck in a difficult situation since they must either wait it out and risk losing Davis for nothing in free agency or be proactive by trading him in an attempt to get some compensation in return.
If Davis makes his decision during the offseason, however, it will give the Pelicans ample opportunity to lock him up long term or trade him before next season's deadline.