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The New Orleans Pelicans made sure their future wasn’t going anywhere. Per reports, the Pelicans and superstar big man Anthony Davis have agreed to a massive five-year, $145 million contract extension. The total number is the highest in NBA history, while The Brow’s $29 million yearly salary makes him the highest paid NBA star right now.
New Orleans was quick to jump on their best player (and one of the best players in the entire league), as the fourth-year player was set to become a free agent next season. The Pelicans wanted to make sure Davis never set foot in free agency and this deal locks him up for at least the next four years, while The Brow will have an option on his fifth season of the deal.
This was a terrific (and fast) move by a Pelicans franchise that knows where the future of their team lies, as they now have the 22-year old Davis locked up into his prime years. Davis has already established himself as one of the game’s brightest young stars, after averaging career highs across the board during the 2014-15 NBA season. Davis made a solid impact as a rookie two years ago, but turned into a top shelf scorer (24.4 points per game) while also improving on the boards (10.2 per game) and in blocks (2.9 per game).
The crazy thing is Davis still has an incredible roof when it comes to his potential, as he has the size and length to rack up even more rebounds and blocks per game going into just his fourth season. Davis is said to be working on his already stellar shooting range, too, as he aims to push back a very fluid mid-range jumper to three-point range. New head coach Alvin Gentry could be a huge part in that development, as the Pelicans are expected to work through Davis more than ever and also run with a very up-temp offensive attack.
Davis hasn’t reached his full potential yet, and the money the Pelicans are handing him shows they love what they’re seeing right now and can’t wait to see what else Davis can do in the years to come. Even better? Davis and these Pelicans already wormed their way into the NBA playoffs this past season and should only be getting better. That should mean a return to the playoffs this coming season, while each passing year could increase New Orleans’ shot at chasing down a title.
For now, the Pelicans are just another team trying to compete for a playoff spot in the always tough Western Conference. The only difference is now they have one of the best young players for another five years.
*photo from thesportspost.com
