The New Orleans Pelicans surprised most NBA fans and analysts when they decided to part ways with Monty Williams -- a decision that could hurt the team in the near future.

Anthony Davis could become an unrestricted free agent in 2017, and their decision to fire Williams could backfire as the superstar power forward developed a close relationship with his former coach.

NBA analyst Chris Sheridan believes most teams in the league took Williams' firing as a good news because it will give them a chance to acquire Davis when his contract with the Pelicans ends.

Davis, who averaged 24.4 points to go along with 10.2 rebounds and 2.9 blocks per game this season, will be playing in the fourth year of his rookie contract next season. He will become a restricted free agent in the summer of 2016 and will have the right to sign offer sheets from other teams, but the Pelicans have the option to match to keep him.

Davis could also decide to sign a one-year qualifying offer worth $9.2 million for the 2016-17 season to become an unrestricted free agent in 2017. If he decides to accept a qualifying offer in the summer of 2016, Davis could pick his destination in 2017 and the Pelicans will not automatically keep him even if they match an offer sheet.

Pelicans front-office executive Mickey Loomis was reportedly behind the decision to fire Williams. Sheridan believes Loomis made a big mistake in firing Williams without thinking of the possibility of losing Davis.

According to Sheridan, Loomis failed to take into the account the strong relationship between Williams and Davis. Aside from their three seasons of partnership in New Orleans, Williams also traveled with Davis during the 2012 London Olympics and the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain.

The New Orleans Times-Picayune also reported that the Pelicans should have parted ways with general manager Dell Demps instead of Williams. The report questioned the moves made by Demps, including the deals to acquire Jrue Holiday and Omer Asik, which caused the Pelicans significant future assets.

Loomis also admitted that they did not inform Davis about the firing until it was announced on Tuesday. Demps said he talked to their superstar after Williams was informed about his fate, but the Pelicans GM declined to reveal details of their conversation.

"Obviously Anthony has a good relationship with Monty and this doesn't have anything to do with that," Loomis said of their decision to fire Williams. "We don't ask our players to make decisions relative to our coaching staff. It's a management and organization decision."

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