New Orleans Pelicans: 3 players most likely to be traded in 2018-19

OAKLAND, CA - May 1: Anthony Davis #23 and Solomon Hill #44 and Jrue Holiday #11 of the New Orleans Pelicans look on during Game Two of Round Two of the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors on May 1, 2018 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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3. Anthony Davis

This is a scenario that nobody wants to talk about, but it may be more likely than most people realize. Since arriving in New Orleans in 2012, Anthony Davis hasn’t exactly had the amount of success he’d like, in large part due to the pieces — or lack thereof — surrounding him.

Under contract through the 2019-20 season, AD can opt out of his deal that summer and go elsewhere in pursuit of a title — a scary thought for a small-market team like the Pelicans that would be forced to start over with a long and drawn out rebuild.

New Orleans is currently roughly $15 million over the cap, essentially cuffing itself to a roster that clearly doesn’t have what it takes to compete for a championship.

Do the Pelicans really believe they’ve surrounded their superstar with enough talent to get him to sign long-term? Probably not, which is why if the front office might consider trading Davis while they can still receive a king’s ransom in return before their leverage is gone. With two years left on his contract though, this would be a worst-case scenario.

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