In a piece by Brett Martel of the Associated Press, Pelicans star power forward Anthony Davis dismissed the idea that his decision to hire Klutch Sports’ Rich Paul as new representation meant he was setting the stage for a departure from the Big Easy.
That being said, Davis can reach the free agent market in two years and has increasing leverage to control where he plays, so it’s understandable that Pelicans’ fans seemed to become a little paranoid when Davis made a change, especially after Chris Paul left New Orleans in his prime shortly after he changed agents.
“It was just for where I am right now in my career — what I’m trying to do — I thought the change was necessary,” Davis said Monday during media day. “That’s all it was… I’m (in New Orleans). I want to focus on winning this year with the squad that we have. We have a good squad.”
There’s more out of New Orleans:
- In some interesting but not so pressing news, Will Guillory of The Athletic relays that newly-acquired veteran point guard Jarrett Jack has interest in becoming a coach after he retires.
- In a full article for The Athletic, Guillory asks whether free agent acquisition, point guard Elfrid Payton, can overtake Rajon Rondo‘s role with the team and excel in head coach Alvin Gentry‘s guard-friendly, up-tempo system.
- Jim Eichenhofer of Pelicans.com writes that Davis and fellow Kentucky alum Julius Randle are very excited to share the court together this season after mostly competing against each other in pick-up games all summer.
I believe he can opt out after 2 more seasons
Nope 3 full years left link to spotrac.com
Nope, you’re wrong. He has this year plus one more. Then, a player option year. After this coming season. He can sign an extension making himself the highest paid player in history. As long as the Pels dont fall flat on their faces this year and miss the the playoffs. I expect him to sign that extension. I also believe he signed with Klutch to recruit some other guys to come to New Orleans.
What? I literally provided a source and you didnt.
BasRef (via the link) shows a PO in the 5th year 2020/’21. I would believe that source because it doesn’t make the spotrac data false; just critically incomplete.
It’s time for Elfrid Payton to prove out, and it won’t be as easy a task as has been in previous stops, now being implicitly compared to Rondo and what he created.
Payton can be coach Jack’s first assignment! Make him see the challenge.
Spotrac is pretty reliable, don’t know how it would be incomplete because they have a system to show player and team options. And every other source I find doesn’t mention any type of option even from way back when he initially signed.
Last paragraph: link to mashable.com
Second Paragraph: link to si.com
Second to last paragraph: link to nesn.com
Third paragraph:
link to foxsports.com
He said he wants to focus on this year. Doesn’t say “I want to be in New Orleans for life.”
He’ll opt out !