The struggles faced by the New Orleans Pelicans to secure a spot in the playoff picture for just about all of the season has been thematic of Anthony Davis’ time with the team and why many feel he is justified in asking for a trade.

However, there could be other truths that contributed to his readiness to seek other opportunities.

Per Marc Stein of the New York Times, being left out of the starting lineup for the Western Conference All-Star selections could have influenced Davis’ decision to request a trade.

Davis had been named a starter in the previous two seasons, but amid the Pelicans’sseason-longg troubles, even putting up MVP worthy numbers wasn’t enough to earn him his third straight start on All-Star weekend.

Article Continues Below
More Pelicans News
Featured image Elfrid Payton
Pelicans declining team option on assists-per-minute leaderDylan Fine ·
New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) drives to the basket past Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid (11) in the second half at Target Center.
Jeff Teague makes grim retirement prediction for Pelicans’ Zion WilliamsonJackson Stone ·
Derik Queen reacts on stage after being selected as the 13th pick by the Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center.
Derik Queen sends warning amid NBA Draft criticismLorenzo J Reyna ·
Derik Queen stands with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the 13th pick by the Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center.
Kendrick Perkins embraces ‘Baby Jokic’ comp for Pelicans’ Derik QueenRichard Pereira ·
Pelicans' Derik Queen stands with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the 13th pick by the Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center with Pelicans' Joe Dumars in the background
Shams Charania claps back at Bill Simmons over Derik Queen-Pelicans tradeJulian Ojeda ·
Asa Newell stands with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the 23rd pick by the New Orleans Pelicans in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center.
Bill Simmons calls Pelicans’ draft trade with Hawks one of ‘dumbest of decade’Preston Byers ·

It is known that winning and creating a legacy are incredibly important to Davis. For this reason, the team’s performance having a helping hand in him being snubbed could have been the icing on the cake for Davis.

Much of the discussion around Davis’ trade request has been about the difference between large markets and small markets, and this may be another example.

It is hard to believe that if Anthony Davis was putting up the numbers he has been this season in another market, such as Los Angeles or New York, he would miss out on starting the All-Star game due to team performance. With added exposure, his big games would have been amplified or at least been broadcasted nationally more often.

His desire to depart from the team that drafted him is based off a culmination of many factors, but this could have very likely been one that had him ready to walk out the door without looking back.