Hoops Habit
Fansided

NBA Trade Deadline: Every Team’s Most Untouchable Asset

By Maxwell Ogden

Nov 30, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) and forward Blake Griffin (32) during an NBA game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 30, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) and forward Blake Griffin (32) during an NBA game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
20 of 31
Next
Feb 10, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) celebrates with guard Norris Cole (30) and forward Dante Cunningham (44) during the second half of a game against the Utah Jazz at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Jazz 100-96. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 10, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) celebrates with guard Norris Cole (30) and forward Dante Cunningham (44) during the second half of a game against the Utah Jazz at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Jazz 100-96. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

New Orleans Pelicans: Anthony Davis

The New Orleans Pelicans have a roster that’s flush with recognizable names and significant individual talents. The one and only player who even comes close to the untouchable tag is the unquestioned face of the franchise.

Already an All-NBA First Team honoree at 22 years of age, Anthony Davis simply2 cannot be moved for any reason whatsoever.

Davis continues to be one of the Association’s most statistically prolific players, regardless of age. He’s averaging 23.4 points, 10.0 rebounds, 2.2 blocks, and 1.3 steals in 2015-16, and posted marks of 24.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, 2.9 blocks, and 1.5 steals per game in 2014-15.

Considering he’s maintaining those averages under a new head coach, Alvin Gentry, who’s playing Davis further away from the basket, that’s quite impressive.

According to Basketball-Reference.com, Davis is on pace to be the first player to average at least 20.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, 2.0 blocks, and 1.0 steal in consecutive seasons since Dwight Howard in 2011 and 2012. Before Howard, it hadn’t been done since Hakeem Olajuwon and David Robinson completed their string of such seasons in 1996.

If you’re willing to trade a 22-year-old who’s doing things comparable to three Hall of Fame players, you’re void of logic.

Next: New York Knicks