NEW ORLEANS -- A spot on one of the three end-of-season All-NBA teams stands between Anthony Davis and an extra $24 million on the maximum extension he signed with the New Orleans Pelicans last offseason.
Davis said Friday that the decision is largely out of his hands. But he's also well aware of what's at stake.
"It's a contract. It's a contract. Twenty-four million dollars ... they give out that for [full] contracts," Davis said. "Can't control it. You just got to control what you can control, and that's what's on the floor."
The payout depends on what is known as the "Derrick Rose Rule" in the NBA's collective bargaining agreement. If a player on a rookie contract is voted an All-Star starter twice, makes any of the three All-NBA teams twice or wins regular-season MVP, he is eligible to make 30 percent of the league's cap amount in the first season, which brings the total contract to more than $145 million.
Davis was named an All-Star starter and to the first team All-NBA last season but was a reserve for this year's Western Conference All-Stars.
If he doesn't make an All-NBA team, as voted on by qualifying media members, Davis will make a little more than $120 million, starting at 25 percent of the cap -- a difference of around $25 million.
"One hundred twenty-five million is still a lot of money ... a lot of damn money," he said. "But there's nothing you can do about it. Just go out there and play and see how it pans out."
Davis, 23, is averaging 24.4 points, 10.4 rebounds and 2.1 blocks in 60 games for the Pelicans, who are 12th in the West at 25-42 overall this season. His 25.25 player efficiency rating ranks seventh in the NBA.
"I just go out there and play," he said. "I mean, I'm gonna let the rest take care of itself. I gotta do whatever I can to help the team win, and hopefully that can contribute to whoever votes, or however they decide it, to vote in my favor.
"But if they don't, there's nothing I can do about it. If they do, then ... I'll definitely send everybody thank-you notes."
