The NBA free-agent rumor mill swirled with activity during the wee hours of July 1, but without making any roster changes, the New Orleans Pelicans hijacked that day’s early headlines when Anthony Davis verbally agreed to sign a five-year contract extension, the first minute it was allowed. Finally permitted by rule to discuss Davis’ rapid-fire decision Thursday, Alvin Gentry said he wasn’t surprised that the two-time All-Star wasted no time in committing to a long-term future in the Crescent City.
“I think with him, first of all he loves the city,” Gentry said. “He loves what’s going on here. I think he sees an opportunity for this to be a real special place. I think that was important to him. I think he wanted to be a part of building something – that was important to him also.
“It didn’t take very much persuading, because I think he really knew what he wanted to do and be involved with. So it was an easy thing. Obviously we’re extremely lucky that he wanted to do that. Well, I say that we were lucky, but I think Dell (Demps) and Mickey (Loomis) have done a great job of making this a place where free agents from everywhere will want to come.”
Davis officially penned his name to the contract extension in Hong Kong, where he’s participating in a Nike promotional tour. Since the conclusion of the Pelicans’ season in April, the 6-foot-10 power forward has been working on adding to his already well-rounded skill set, including being able to make corner three-pointers, per Gentry’s suggestion.
“He is really locked in to working out and trying to add a few facets to his game that we talked about,” Gentry said. “He’s just an extremely conscientious guy. He wants to be the best player in the league. When you have a guy that good who wants to work to be the best player in the league, you’re extremely lucky to have someone like that.”
A Facebook video was recently posted of Davis working on his low-post moves with Pelicans assistant coach Kevin Hanson, and later knocking down trey after trey from various spots on the floor. The video has attracted over 1,000,000 views.
“He’s going to be the cornerstone of our franchise, obviously,” Gentry said. “A guy that has the opportunity to be a great, great player for a lot of years. I like everything that he brings to the table. An extremely hard-working kid. He’s been out in L.A. working for the last month, really. I just think he’s one of those guys that from a character standpoint and a player standpoint, there’s not a better player in the NBA to start your franchise and be the anchor of your franchise.”
At one point during Gentry’s talk with New Orleans media prior to departing for Las Vegas, the head coach was asked if the Pelicans might be in position in 2016 to attract free agents who are willing to sign for less money, a la David West’s decision to join San Antonio.
A grinning Gentry responded, “I think there are a lot of people out there that would like to play with a guy on our team.”
No one needed to double-check exactly which “guy” Gentry meant.