4 positives the Pelicans can take away from the Davis trade demand saga

So, how could there be any possible reasons to remain positive when your franchise cornerstone demands out of town? Such transpired for the New Orleans Pelicans. On the surface area, it’s understandable things would appear bleak. However, dig a little deeper and you just mind find the positives.

The horse has been beaten. We’re more than aware that Anthony Davis demanded a trade from the New Orleans Pelicans. Davis felt as if he needed a change of scenery from the team that originally drafted him back in 2012.  However, his trade demand could prove a blessing in disguise. Let’s key in on 4 major reasons why that may ring to be true.

#4) Opportunity to re-establish team identity

From the outside looking in, the Davis era in New Orleans has underwhelmed. The New Orleans Pelicans have been mediocre in that timeframe, appearing in postseason play twice in the past several years. Both entrances in the round robin ended with the same outcome, defeat at the hands of the Golden State Warriors.

Did Dell Demps accomplish his task at hand as the general manager of the team since Davis’ rookie campaign? Ultimately, no. There was never a supporting cast alongside Davis that could compete with the juggernauts out west. Despite his individual greatness, the team was never able to find sustained success.

Davis Griffin—the newfound VP of basketball operations following Demp’s firing—touched base on the importance of building something organically, and nurturing your creation for longevity. Under Demps, that perception was seemingly the polar opposite. Veterans signed on lucrative, long-term deals hindered the organization.

Instead of complimenting the likes of Davis with fellow young talent, and seeing them develop and mature—it appeared the Pelicans wanted to rush success. Quick fixes, wrong decisions, and untimely injuries were the Pelicans undoing. Now the team has the chance to right their wrongs.

With the departure of AD nearly inevitable at this point, Griffin has the privilege of putting his words into action. The king’s ransom that Davis will most likely bring will put the Pelicans in a comfortable position moving forward. Now the team must learn from their prior mistakes, not rush the rebuild and make the correct transactions.

With moving pieces coming in and out in the Davis era, they were never given the opportunity to establish a team identity and sustain it. Part of this was due to unfortunate timing and injuries. However, now they have a legitimate chance to build something from the ground up and turn it into a perennial contender.