Pelicans Exercise Options On Anthony Davis And Austin Rivers

As expected, the New Orleans Pelicans exercised third-year options in the contracts of Anthony Davis and Austin Rivers.

The news comes as no surprise. Both players are entering their second season, and the franchise has the right to lock both players into the third year of their rookie contracts.

Davis has been on a roll this preseason. In only 27.8 minutes a game, he is averaging a team-high 24.5 points and 7 rebounds. He's a big reason the Pelicans are unbeaten in 4 preseason games.

After being named to the NBA rookie First-team as a teenager last year, Davis is primed for a breakout year.

Rivers had strong performances in Summer league, and was healthy throughout training camp. He is hoping to improve from an inconsistent rookie year, and bounce back from a fractured right hand that caused him to miss the final 21 games of last season.