The New Orleans Hornets are putting the future of the franchise in the hands of a pair of 19-year-old first-round picks, signing Anthony Davis, the first overall pick in the 2012 draft, and point guard Austin Rivers, the 10th overall pick to three-year guaranteed deals Tuesday.

Davis is expected to earn $16.12 million while Rivers’ salary is worth just under $6 million.

Davis was praised as the top talent in the draft by a wide margin after claiming three major college player of the year awards and leading Kentucky to the national championship, cutting down the nets in New Orleans before leaving school along with four teammates.

Davis led the nation in blocks (4.65 bpg) as a freshman, while leading his team in scoring (14.2 ppg), rebounding (10.4 rpg) and field goal percentage (.623).

At 6-10, 220, he has a wingspan of more than 7 feet 5 but athletic ability to defend all over the court. His offense is more advanced than most young big men because of his high school background as a point guard before a growth spurt forced him to move to the paint.

Rivers (6-4, 200) led Duke in scoring with 15.5 points per game in his only season with the Blue Devils. He is the son of Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers.

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