The dream of New Orleans Pelicans big man Anthony Davis to play for a “well-balanced franchise” may come to fruition as the San Antonio Spurs plan on pursuing him in the offseason. According to Sean Deveney of Sporting News, the Spurs are interested in trading for Davis in the offseason. Deveney said the Spurs might make some moves before the trade deadline that will prepare them in the pursuit of Davis. Deveney said the Spurs need to create space to get Davis, who has three years remaining in the five-year, $127.2 million deal that he signed with the Pelicans in 2015.
He will earn $23.7 million this year, $25.4 million in 2018-19, $27 million in 2019-20 and has a $28.7 million player option for the 2020-21 season.
Spurs might trade Gasol, young players for Davis
The Spurs can accomplish this by parting ways with Pau Gasol and his $16 million salary for the 2018-19 season. Gasol could be included in the package together with some young players that will entice the Pelicans to part ways with their prized big man. An NBA general manager told Deveney that the Pelicans need to consider the team’s future with or without Davis. The Pelicans’ other big man, DeMarcus Cousins, is out for the season with an injury, but he can sign elsewhere in the offseason, leaving Davis all by himself.
Aside from the Spurs, the Golden State Warriors, Oklahoma City Thunder and the Boston Celtics are interested in trading for Davis.
Anthony Davis tired of losing
Earlier, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported that Davis is tired of losing and wants to play for a winning team. Recently, Davis approached the Pelicans' front office and inquired about their long-term plans in terms of how to make the team a playoff contender.
If the Pelicans fail to satisfy Davis’ desire to win, he might ask for a trade to a winning team. Adding Davis would make the Spurs a threat to the Golden State Warriors’ reign in the Western Conference. Despite the absence of Kawhi Leonard, the Spurs are third in the West with a 33-19 mark.
Davis is averaging 26.5 points, 10.6 rebounds and 2.1 blocks in 43 games this season for the Pelicans, who are sixth in the Western Conference with a 27-22 record.
A first overall pick by the Pelicans out of Kentucky in the 2012 NBA Draft, Davis has career averages of 22.8 points, 10.2 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per outing. In Sunday’s 112-103 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, Davis scored 25 points, grabbed 17 boards, and dished six assists.
