Pelicans Rumors: 3 reasons why David Griffin should let Anthony Davis go

David Griffin has made his intentions clear that he wishes to keep Anthony Davis on the New Orleans Pelicans. But is it time to give up the conquest and move forward without his services? Let’s look at three reasons why the organization should move on.

Since his rookie campaign as a 19-year-old, Anthony Davis has been the face of the New Orleans Pelicans. Over the past seven seasons, the organization has seen him mature and develop into the superstar that he is today. But, unfortunately, all good things to eventually come to a halt. And in this instance, the same rule applies.

It’s tough to move on from a generational-talent, especially one still at the youthful age of 26-years-old. He was the foundation on which to build a contender upon, but the team failed to sustain any real success in the seven years Davis has been in the league. It has not worked, and what’s to cement our faith that the future will be significantly different?

Dell Demps, the team’s previous general manager from 2010 until February 2019 failed to incorporate the correct pieces alongside Davis. That is undeniable. It’s hard to erase the team’s history, and even though Griffin is confident he can persuade Davis to return, he might be convinced that he can only find success elsewhere.

How Davis went about his public trade demand distanced himself from the fanbase that embraced him. It’s conceivable that the damage done by Davis and his representation is not reversible. There are reasons to bring him back, and time does heal all wounds—but the reasons against it trump those in favor.

#3) A Davis trade would expedite a rebuild

Whenever a player of Anthony Davis’ magnitude is made openly available, all twenty-nine other organizations at least ponder if they could make a deal for his services. Of those twenty-nine, a distinct few aggressively pursue. All in competition to land the superstar, they package their most appealing assets to entice the seller.

The Los Angeles Lakers threw their entire young core at the New Orleans Pelicans before this year’s trade deadline. And if that was not enough, they added in draft capital and cap relief to bolster their trade package. The Pelicans still said no. Informing every organization in the NBA that they will remain patient in negotiations, and that they expect a package that will put them in the best possible situation for the future.

What’s also noteworthy is Davis’ contract. He’s on the books next season to make $27 million, and then afterward he has a player option he’s likely to opt out on. That’s not saying a player of Davis’ caliber is not worth the money. That’s ridiculous. But, the Pelicans would have freed up cap space and the added benefit of not worrying about offering a supermax when his contract is up—which can prove a hindrance for small market teams.

Instead, they would potentially receive rookie contracts in the trade and could even possibly shed a contract like Solomon Hill‘s. So when the time comes, they can enter free agency as major buyers and find a complimentary star to fit the mold of their roster.

New Orleans made the postseason twice in the Davis era, trading him gives the team the luxury of doing a rebuild on the fly and getting back on the right track.

#2) Anthony Davis’ injury history

It may seem unfair to pick on Anthony Davis for this, especially since it is technically out of his power. However, Davis has missed a total of 108 games since his rookie season back in 2012-13. Those missed games came from a plethora of injuries, all spread out, so it’s not like it was just one major injury that caused missed time. Things were looking better for the big man, who played at least 75 games in consecutive seasons in 2016/17 and 2017/18—but he followed up these campaigns with twenty-six games missed in 2018/19.

When he’s on the court, he compiles stats that are comparable to NBA legends like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Davis averages 23.7 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.4 blocks, 1.4 steals on 51.7% shooting from the field for his career. Though his numbers are otherworldly, he also misses an average of 15 games per season. In a loaded Western Conference, those missed games can be the difference of a playoff berth or an extended offseason.

In seasons where Davis misses more than seven games, the Pelicans have made the playoffs once. And that one season in 2015/16 was as an eighth seed via tiebreak, where Davis missed 21 games.

That’s not saying this will be a continued trend for the remaining duration of his career, he could turn into an NBA iron man and enjoy health and success from here on out. And we should wish no ill feelings toward him, but the proof is in the pudding. Davis has missed a lot of time. And with a roster that desperately needs him on the court to find success, he has struggled to stay off the injured list.

#1) Culture change

This should be the primary reason against bringing back Anthony Davis. Let’s be honest, the Pelicans throughout Davis’ tenure have been underwhelming. The perception from the rest of the league has been negative. There’s been a common narrative. Anthony Davis’ best years were being wasted on a small market team that is failing to put talent beside him.

It may be an unfair narrative, but it’s been the one set in place for the Pelicans. Maybe Davis began believing that this organization had failed him. Or maybe he’s been listening in on the player empowerment era and wishes to establish his own brand in a larger market like Los Angeles. Perhaps it’s not just the Pelicans that could use a culture change, but Davis as well.

There’s been significant damage between the fans and Davis as well. The trade demand was not orchestrated well. Whether it has been public comments bashing the organization in a less than subtle manner, or a famous “That’s All Folks” shirt in the final home game of the season— Davis has distanced himself from the Pelicans fan base.

David Griffin—vice president of basketball operations—publicly displayed his intent on reconciling with the disgruntled star, but to no avail. Anthony Davis has doubled down on where he wants to play, and that’s anywhere but New Orleans.

With his departure, the Pelicans get to hit the reset button. And that does not just mean on their roster alone, they get a chance to establish a new culture and identity and nurture it. This is an exciting time to be a Pelican fan, changes are coming, and Davis Griffin is the right man to usher in a new era.

What do you think of our reasons to let Anthony Davis go? Do you agree with them? Or do you think there’s still hope for reconciliation? Let us know in the comments below!