New Orleans Pelicans owner Gayle Benson has vowed that the team will do everything they can to keep Anthony Davis but has also admitted that they will be powerless to do so if he decides to leave.
Davis has been strongly linked the Los Angeles Lakers and rumors of a partnership with LeBron James has been rife since the beginning of the season.
It is also believed that the Boston Celtics could make a move for the talented center as well. But Benson, wife of the late Tom Benson, has revealed that the team will spend money on top players in a bid to convince Davis that New Orleans is the place for him.
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The 71-year-old had a recent interview with The Athletic in which she claimed that she likes the player but won't be able to hold him back if he decides to leave.
"Well now they [the Pelicans] are not doing so great, but I think we just need to give them a little bit more time," she said.
"I think they’re young, and we’re going to invest more money and get the big players and do everything we can to keep Anthony (Davis) here. I really like what we have in place. I really like Anthony, but if he wants to leave, you can’t hold him back."
Davis will be eligible for a supermax contract next summer and could leave Benson and the Pelicans sweating if he does not accept when it is put in front of him.
They would have to seriously open up to the possibility of trading him if that happens to be the case. But the organization still has a bit of time where such is concerned.
What This Means
Davis isn't exactly pleased with the way things are going for the Pelicans this season. The team can only boast being better than the Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference and they can't expect to be certain of keeping him around if they can't improve on certain areas.
With the trade deadline now a month away, the front office would do well to bring in some value before the star makes up his mind. Failing to climb the standings soon enough could prove costly.