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The Los Angeles Lakers are trying to engage the New Orleans Pelicans in trade talks that would let them acquire All-Star forward Anthony Davis. Reportedly, the Pelicans' front office will not entertain any calls from the franchise.
And one particular person from the San Antonio Spurs might have something to do with that.
Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich reportedly called Pelicans' general manager Dell Demps and asked him ‘not to cave in' to any purple and gold trade offer for Davis.
The Spurs have been a long-time rival of the Lakers, battling it out for supremacy in the Western Conference during the 2000s.
Of course, it makes sense that the Spurs would get involved, as they do not want their rivals to gain any advantage over them. San Antonio is currently in the seventh spot in the Western Conference standings, while Los Angeles is out of the playoff picture, even though they have LeBron James.
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However, if the Lakers land Davis, that would change the landscape in the West, and it will make the purple and gold instant championship contenders.
That is why the Spurs are doing their best to prevent any trade that will strengthen them. They have done this in the past, when they refused to deal Kawhi Leonard to Los Angeles.
According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Spurs made it clear right from the beginning of last year's offseason that they had no intention of dealing Leonard to the franchise.
When Spurs GM RC Buford finally called back Pelinka after Leonard's springtime trade request, the Lakers were left with an unmistakable impression: Buford and Gregg Popovich would never send Leonard to Los Angeles — no matter what the Lakers offered. The Spurs always denied any absolute “no Lakers” stance, arguing the Lakers' package never captivated them.
The Spurs eventually traded Leonard to the Toronto Raptors.
