New Orleans Pelicans: 5 goals for Anthony Davis in 2017-18

Progress for Anthony Davis will no longer be measured by individual accomplishments, but instead, by team success for the New Orleans Pelicans.

The latest cycle of juicy news involves the potential of Anthony Davis leaving the New Orleans Pelicans.

Rumors of Damian Lillard recruiting Davis to the Portland Trail Blazers have emerged, while the possibility of the Boston Celtics cashing in their stockpiled assets for the league’s premier power forward will continue to loom large.

Any team would benefit from the presence of Davis. The 23-year-old is one of the most complete players in the league, capable of dominating on both ends of the floor. In his fifth season, Davis was able to significantly increase his output, posting career-highs in scoring (28.0 points per game), rebounding (11.8), assists (2.3) and games played (75).

Davis has led the league in rejections twice, has stolen the ball 75 or more times each season he has been in the NBA and holds opponents to 6.3 percent below their usual shooting percentages when he is defending the basket.

From anywhere on the floor, Davis is a scoring threat, with his 135 dunks ranking as the eighth-most in the league a year ago, while converting 46.7 percent of his attempts between 10 and 16 feet away from the rim.

The Pelicans have a talented roster, featuring Davis, DeMarcus Cousins, Jrue Holiday and Rajon Rondo, but face an uphill battle in the Western Conference.

For New Orleans to progress, Davis will have to begin making some sacrifices after being the featured player on the roster ever since he was drafted in 2012. Here are five goals for Davis in the 2017-18 season.