Question:

Can we store the avatars and cover images in the database? If not, are there any plans to move all the images to the Database/Media Library instead?

Answer:

Currently, avatars and cover images do not get stored in the database at all, they pull from the file system based on user ID matching folder ID. It is something inherited from BuddyPress. At the moment, there are no plans in moving all cover images and avatars in the database.