Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin is not giving up on bringing Anthony Davis back to New Orleans.
When asked on a conference call about the possibility of convincing Davis to stay in New Orleans, he was straightforward with his answer.
“We’re very confident that we have a compelling situation for him here,” he said, via SNY.
David Griffin said on a conference call that he’ll probably meet with Anthony Davis in LA when agencies host predraft workouts in the city. Griffin remains hopeful of Davis remaining in New Orleans. “We’re very confident that we have a compelling situation for him here,” he said.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) May 21, 2019
Griffin also said he hasn't met with Davis yet but plans to when agencies host pre-draft workouts in Los Angeles.
Davis' agent Rich Paul told ESPN the six-time All-Star did not want to re-sign with the team when his contract is up after the 2019-20 season and would prefer to be traded.
But since Griffin was given his job with the Pelicans in April, he has reiterated countless times he plans to do all he can to keep Davis in New Orleans.
Multiple reports have stated Davis has not changed his mind about leaving the team even after the Pelicans won the draft lottery and the right to take consensus No. 1 pick Zion Williamson.
But Davis is under contract for another year, and the Pelicans do have talent on their roster. Jrue Holiday is locked up through the 2021-22 season, so the Pelicans have some positive things going on which could help at least a little bit with the big man.
New Orleans hired Trajan Langdon as the team's new general manager this week so he will have to be part of the discussions with Davis as well, so this remains a fluid situation, but Griffin is clearly still doing all he can to convince the 26-year-old to stay in Louisiana.