The New Orleans Pelicans and general manager Dell Demps are reportedly uninterested in cooperating with a plan to partner up their franchise talisman Anthony Davis with Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski and Zach Lowe.
Demps refused to pick up the phone for Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka, who has tried to inquire about Davis — likely a pushback response for what the Pelicans feel is an attempt by Davis' (and James') agent Rich Paul to strongarm the franchise into making a trade happen before the Feb. 7 trade deadline.
“The sluggish response time is perhaps a message that New Orleans places some responsibility onto the Lakers for Davis' trade request, or perhaps an indication to Davis and his agent Rich Paul of Klutch Sports that the franchise doesn't plan to easily acquiesce on a trade request to partner with LeBron James.
As of now, the Pelicans see no reason to deliver Davis to the Lakers in a deal with a full season left on his contract — never mind do it on a timeline that benefits mostly the objectives of Los Angeles and Davis.”
The Pelicans stated they would deal Davis at their own accord and at their own deadline, a message that is now ringing louder than ever for inquiring teams like the Lakers.
New Orleans is reportedly willing to wait until the summer, when the Boston Celtics would come into play and likely up the ante with quality players and a war chest's worth of draft picks available for trade.
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