ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Monday that Anthony Davis has no intention of signing a long-term extension with the New Orleans Pelicans and has requested a trade. The NBA trade deadline is February 8 (AEDT).
Agent Rich Paul has notified the New Orleans Pelicans that All-NBA forward Anthony Davis has no intention of signing a contract extension if and when presented and that he has requested a trade, Paul told ESPN on Monday.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 28, 2019
Rich Paul to ESPN on a preferred destination for Anthony Davis: "Anthony wants to be traded to a team that allows him the chance to win consistently and compete for a championship."
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 28, 2019
On timing of telling Pelicans now, Rich Paul tells ESPN: "Anthony wanted to be honest and clear with his intentions and that's the reason for informing them of this decision now. That's in the best interests of both Anthony's and the organization's future."
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 28, 2019
The Pelicans can offer Davis a 5-year, $240M contract extension this summer entering the final season of his current contract. He is set to become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2020.
The 25-year old is in his seventh season with the Pelicans after the franchise selected him with the first overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. A 5-time All-Star, 3-time All-Defense selection and 3-time block champion, Davis is averaging a career-high in points per game (29.3), rebounds per game (13.3) and assists per game (4.4) this season.
With Davis on the team, the Pelicans have made the postseason twice. Their win over the Portland Trail Blazers in last year's playoffs was the first time they've made it out of the first round after the team was swept by the Warriors in 2015.
Following a win over the Oklahoma City back on December 12, the Pelicans were 15-15 and just 1.5 games out of eighth in the Western Conference. That's the last time they were .500 as New Orleans has gone 7-13 since then to fall to 22-28, 13th in the West and six games behind the LA Clippers for the final playoff spot.
Shortly after ESPN's report came to light, the Pelicans issued a statement confirming Davis had advised the organisation he would not be signing a contract extension and had requested a trade.
"This past weekend, Anthony Davis' representatives informed us that Anthony does not wish to sign a contract extension with our team and subsequently has requested a trade," the statement read.
"Although we are disappointed in this decision, our organization's top priority is to bring an NBA championship to our city and fans and build our team for long-term success."
Statement from the New Orleans Pelicans pic.twitter.com/qEKBtEFjPl
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) January 28, 2019
