Amid all the chaos surrounding Anthony Davis and his recent demand for a trade, the New Orleans Pelicans must still play some basketball games. Unfortunately for them, they’ll be without three of their key players tonight.

Earlier today, the Pelicans ruled forward Julius Randle out with a right ankle sprain for tonight’s game against the Houston Rockets, according to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon. He will join Nikola Mirotic and Anthony Davis, who had both been previously ruled out for the game.

Despite all three players having legitimate injuries, many around the league are currently speculating on whether or not this could be the Pelicans trying to keep players from getting hurt ahead of a potential trade.

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Yesterday, it was reported that New Orleans had made both Randle and Mirotic available in trades, and with Davis also looking to be moved, this could be the Pelicans making sure none of their highly valuable players get further injured.

While the Pelicans struggle to contend in a crowded Western Conference, the biggest news surrounding the team is their star player's demand for a trade.

After some back and forth shots taken between Rich Paul of Klutch Sports and the Pelicans organization, no further information on a trade has materialized, with many thinking the Pelicans will wait until the summer to officially make a move.

Davis is still recovering from a sprained index finger that will likely keep him out for another week, but is posting the best numbers of his career with 29.3 points, 13.3 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.7 steals and 2.6 blocks per game this season.