Anthony Davis hoping Pelicans retain Norris Cole

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Anthony Davis wants Norris Cole back with the New Orleans Pelicans.

Considering Davis' standing as the long-term face of the franchise, that's probably all the Pelicans need to know.

"As far as Norris, I haven't really talked to him," Davis said recently, deferring roster moves to the team's decision-makers. "But we definitely hope he can come back. We would definitely love to have him back with no question."

Cole is a restricted free agent, and while the Pelicans don't have a great deal of salary cap flexibility, retaining Cole should prove an affordable move.

He earned $2 million last season and the Pelicans tendered him a $3-million qualifying offer, a one-year deal Cole may end up signing in order to become an unrestricted free agent next summer. The longer the offseason roles on without an offer sheet from another team, the more likely Cole is to sign the qualifying offer, a move that is somewhat uncommon but one that may be mutually beneficial in this case.

The Pelicans acquired Cole in a three-team trade at the deadline last season, and he was solid in 28 games down the stretch, averaging a career-high 9.9 points. In 302 games over four seasons, Cole has averaged 6.6 points and 2.6 assists, shooting 41 percent from the floor and 32.6 percent from long range.