NEW ORLEANS, LA – FEBRUARY 26: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts during the second half against the Phoenix Suns at the Smoothie King Center on February 26, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
Anthony Davis
The Number one pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, Anthony Davis was an Olympian even before he stepped on an NBA court. We always hear about how someone has the potential to be a 20 and 10 guy. With the Unibrow, you are getting a near 30 and 10 guy, after he averaged 28.1 points and 11.1 rebounds per contest this past season.
Down low he dominates. Over the last three seasons his range has developed beyond the arc where he shot a solid 34% from 3, after only shooting and missing all 6 of his 3’s in his entire rookie year. Everyone knows he is an absolute beast on the defensive end averages almost 2.5 blocks a game for his career.
Davis has three years left on his contract with the last one being a player option. His name has been around the rumor mill for a few years as no one really thinks he wants to stay in the Big Easy. Even if he wanted to, they have really shown no ability to build a contender around him.
The biggest move New Orleans has made was to acquire the boogieman, DeMarcus Cousins. The only problem is that they played better after Boogie tore his achilles and was shut down for the year.
Cousins is also a free agent this this offseason and could easily bolt. They have little to no cap flexibility over the coming years so they are pretty much set with the roster that they have. Teams around the league will jump at a player like Davis and rightfully so. What better way for New Orleans to replace him than with a cheaper option in Deandre Ayton.