With star forward Anthony Davis eligible for a contract extension this summer, Pelicans officials plan to be aggressive as possible in presenting him with a maximum five-year deal that could exceed $140 million, according to league sources.
The exact figures will depend on how much the NBA salary cap actually rises in 2016.
The Pelicans would have until Oct. 31 to convince Davis to sign a five-year deal that makes him their designated player.
Davis, 22, just joined Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain and Bob McAdoo as the only players in league history ?to average at least 30 points and 10 rebounds in their first four NBA playoff games.