Pelicans, Anthony Davis Agree to a Reported Massive Five-Year, $145 million Extension
The New Orleans Pelicans and Anthony Davis reportedly agree to a massive contract extension worth nearly $145 million over five years, league sources revealed. Davis revealed via Twitter right after midnight that he would be staying in New Orleans.
NOLA, I am here to stay! Just getting started… #6MoreYears #TakeFlight pic.twitter.com/Kni8WpikEA
— Anthony Davis (@AntDavis23) July 1, 2015
The contract, which contains a fifth-year option, should be the league's biggest one when it goes into effect after the 2015-16 season. First round selections from the 2012 NBA Draft can discuss contract extensions starting from July 1 to Oct. 31. Like free agents, contract extensions can be officially signed starting on July 9.
Sources stated that the exact amount of money offered to Davis will be dependent on how much the NBA salary cap increases by in 2016. The Pelicans are expected to offer Davis the biggest deal possible.
"I just think he's one of those special players that comes along once every 25 or 30 years," Al Gentry, the new Pelicans coach, said. "He's got a chance to be Tim Duncan. He's got a chance to be Kevin Garnett. He's got a chance to be one of those special players, and I think when you have a foundation of a great player like that, then I think you got something special."
Matt Moore with CBSSports.com reported:
"Davis' deal makes it the 32nd-largest contract in American team sports history, exceeding Mike Trout's six-year, $144 million deal. Per year, Davis' $29 million total will make it the eighth-largest per-year contract in sports history. To achieve those contract parameters, Davis will have to enact the 'Rose rule' stipulation, which requires him to either start in the All-Star Game in 2016 (he was voted a starter in 2015), make one of the three All-NBA teams (he was a first-teamer this season), or win MVP (he finished fifth this season). Assuming he's healthy, he's a lock to reach one of those goals."
Davis averaged 24.4 points, 10.2 rebounds and 2.9 rebounds. In four postseason games, Davis averaged 31.5 points, 11.0 rebounds and 3.0 rebounds.
