David Griffin says he will try to convince Anthony Davis to stay in New Orleans

It may be posturing but it’s a noteworthy step in a different direction for the New Orleans Pelicans and how they’ve handled the trade request from superstar Anthony Davis at this point.

Newly named Pelicans Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations David Griffin told reporters in New Orleans on Wednesday that he has spoken to Rich Paul about trying to get Davis to stay in the Big Easy rather than get out of dodge.

From Andrew Lopez of The Times-Picayune

David Griffin on Anthony Davis: "We have a long successful history with Klutch Sports. Rich Paul and I have spoke about Anthony. We are both excited about what we could potentially build here."

— Andrew Lopez (@_Andrew_Lopez) April 17, 2019

Griffin says he believes AD is open to staying after discussions with Rich Paul. But he would prefer to establish if Davis is all-in or all-out on being with the Pelicans

— Will Guillory (@WillGuillory) April 17, 2019

This could be taken in a couple of ways. One way is that it’s an attempt to reset the trade market that was set in the winter. But another way is that Rich Paul trusts Griffin, as pointed out by Joe Vardon of The Athletic. If that trust is enough to convince Anthony Davis to sign a supermax extension is another story, but the Pelicans are clearly projecting that trading Davis isn’t a foregone conclusion.