With Anthony Davis dealing with recurring knee and shoulder problems, the Pelicans have officially thrown in the towel on the season. Head coach Alvin Gentry told reporters Sunday that the team plans to shut him down for the year.
Via ESPN.com’s Justin Verrier:
Anthony Davis will be shut down for the season
— Justin Verrier (@JustinVerrier) March 20, 2016
The move makes sense for the Pelicans — with this season a lost cause, not having Davis could mean a higher lottery pick, and it’s smart to take every measure necessary to protect their franchise player’s health for the long term.
But there’s also that little thing of Davis losing $24 million on the decision. His five-year max extension, signed in July, is governed by the Derrick Rose rule, which promises a higher percentage of the cap and higher annual raises to players who either win MVP, get voted an All-Star starter twice or make two All-NBA teams. Davis was voted a starter last year and made First Team All-NBA last season. His only hope for triggering the higher extension was to make another All-NBA team this season, and between the early shutdown and the Pelicans’ lottery status, there’s now almost no chance that will happen.