Many around the New Orleans Pelicans received the news of Anthony Davis choosing to sign with Rich Paul of Klutch Sports by holding their breath, knowing his potential departure would be in the cards. Paul, who already had strong ties to the Los Angeles Lakers with his premier client being LeBron James, wound up being the middle man that facilitated Davis' departure to La La Land, ultimately caving in the greatest of fears of a front office that saw the star agent make his client's trade request public.
An executive with knowledge of the Pelicans' front office maneuvers noted Davis changed after he secured Paul's services:
“When he hired Rich, he changed. I'm not saying for the worse or the better, but he just changed his approach,” the executive said of Davis' new allegiance, according to Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report. “It was just a feel. I can't sit here and say that he dogged it or didn't work hard or anything like that. He put in the work. He did what he had to do.”
“It just wasn't good enough for that situation,” he continued, noting early-season injuries kept coming until Davis demanded a trade two weeks before the deadline. “History will tell you: If you have a superstar and you're not winning, he's going to move on.”
Davis did change, quickly going from his New Orleans-loving, loyal steed persona to the same most malcontent players have once they want out of their franchise.
The Brow's personality was always meek and reserved, but his desire to land in Los Angeles required a more vocal one, something that quickly shifted as he hired Paul to represent him.
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