Anthony Davis To Undergo Surgery, Miss Rest Of Season

New Orleans Pelicans All-Star Anthony Davis will undergo surgery and miss the remainder of the season, the team announced today via twitter.

The disappointing news is the ultimate paradigm for the Pelicans season which has been plaqued by injuries, losses and misfortune.

Davis left Friday night's loss to Portland with a left knee injury, but has also dealt with a persistent shoulder injury.

According to Pelicans beat writer Scott Kuschner of The Advocate, Davis will have a procedure on his knee and surgery on his shoulder.

"He's disappointed, he's very disappointed," head coach Alvin Gentry said in a press conference on the Pelicans website Sunday afternoon. "You know good and well that he loves playing and wants to be good. He feels a huge obligation to try to make this team better, try to get him back to where they were last year...making the playoffs and stuff like that."

Davis ends the season as the team leader in points (24.3), rebounds (10.3), and blocks (2.0).

By shutting it down for the rest of the season, Davis could decrease his chances of earning at least 3rd Team All-NBA honors. If he isn't an All-NBA player, he'll lose $24 million over the life of his contract.

He signed a 5 year extension worth up to $145 million last summer, the richest in NBA history. However, the $145 million value is only reached if Davis qualifies for the “Rose Rule”.

The “Rose Rule”, according to the NBA Salary Cap FAQ website, allows a player who fulfills all 4 years of their rookie scale contract and during that stretch is either voted league MVP at least once, or is voted All-NBA first, second or third team twice, or is voted an All-Star starter twice, to receive a higher maximum salary and make up to 30% of the team’s salary cap.

The difference in the lifetime of Davis’ contract would go from an estimated $120.45 million to an estimated $144.54 million if he reaches the terms necessary for the “Rose Rule”.

Davis is currently in the 4th year of his rookie scale contract before the extension kicks in next summer. He was named an All-Star starter last year, as well as first-team All-NBA.

To earn “Rose Rule” designation, he must be named league MVP this season, or make the All-NBA team (first, second or third).

Despite his injury, he still has an outside chance of earning 3rd team All-NBA honors.