Based on words from the big man himself, all the Anthony Davis trade rumors need to go away for good, as he’s fully committed to the New Orleans Pelicans.
Appearing on ESPN Radio’s Meet The All-Stars show that will air Saturday night (5:30 p.m. ET), Davis made it clear he has no intention of looking to play elsewhere any time soon.
“Look, I’m here. If I was thinking about leaving, I’d never re-sign [last summer]. I’m here to stay,” Davis said, per ESPN’s Marc Stein.
These words echo what Davis told reporters in a conference call Thursday. Per Stein, Davis, responding to questions about whether he’d be interested in joining with Russell Westbrook as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers. He was also asked if the Pelicans’ inability to compete for a title might cause him to seek a trade.
Either he’s a skilled diplomat or he’s serious about staying, because Davis replied, “I’m here to help this team win [and] put this franchise back on the map.”
Locked up on a five-year deal worth $127 million, signed last summer, Davis has delivered on an individual level, averaging 27.7 points, 11.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 2.5 blocks and 1.3 steals per game. Unfortunately, he’s starring on a team that can’t seem to get over the hump with a record of 23-34, good for the No. 11 seed in the Western Conference.
As a part of doing his part to help New Orleans succeed in the future, Davis is trying to convince soon-to-be free agent Jrue Holliday to re-sign with the team next year.
“I’m doing that right now,” Davis said. “I talk to Jrue all the time. He’ll make his own decisions, but of course we like him here. … We need him to continue to play well and then, at the end of the season, hopefully he decides to re-sign with us.”
It’s good to see Davis taking a leadership role on this young team. He’s a legitimate superstar who has the potential to become even better in the years to come and will need to have a strong supporting cast in order to see his team succeed.