We've all heard David Griffin, both in his introductory press conference and in his appearance on The Jump, detail his desire to keep Anthony Davis on this team. Some of what he has said might well be lip service, but I'm pretty sure that Griffin at least wants to give it a shot before committing entirely to the trade. From the perspective of an outsider, ignoring everything that has happened with AD as a person for the last few months and looking purely at the numbers, this is obviously a good move. AD is, on his best day, the best player in basketball.
But he's one of the worst in terms of controlling his public image, and the last few months have been atrocious for that. He has been petty. He has been spiteful. He has been rude. He has been inconsiderate. He has insulted the team, quit on his teammates, and told the city that he would rather be anywhere else.
So if Griffin does manage to convince AD to be all in and sign that supermax extension, locking him into New Orleans for the next several years (in terms of contract at least, long term he could still be traded) and suffocating our cap-sheet, what is it that you would need to see from AD for him to be forgiven for everything he's done to the team and its fanbase?
For me, I'd want a public apology to the team for all of the stress he has put everyone through. I'd also like an apology to the fans, but I can't see that one happening. Then, I'd need an MVP season. His best year yet. Absolutely putting it all on the floor on both ends. We saw at the end of our playoff run in 2018 that AD can be a demon on both ends when fully engaged: I need that from him, to prove he's really dedicated to making this team win and progress. And I would need it for 65+ games, not a dozen games in March. I'm talking 30/14, leading the league in blocks, DPOY candidate. If he does those things: sign the supermax, apologise, and prove that he means it with his play, then as much as I would hate it, I think I'd be forced to start forgiving him.
What about you guys? What would you need for him to show you, and what would you want for him to say?
Edit: and yes, I will be more than a little disappointed if, after being told there was going to be a clean sweep, fresh start for the franchise, we start next season with the same team made of the same players, with the same coach, and the same coaching staff.