New Orleans Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry says the decision to hold out superstar big man Anthony Davis on Saturday has nothing to do with the fact the team is playing against LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers.

Davis, who has requested a trade, reportedly prefers to be traded to the Lakers. Gentry says the team spoke with AD about resting him on Saturday. New Orleans is on the second night of a back-to-back. They lost to the Indiana Pacers on Friday.

Davis played 20 minutes on Friday versus the Pacers. He finished with 15 points, eight rebounds and four assists while shooting 6-of-11 from the field.

Saturday is going to be the first game which Davis doesn't play in since the trade deadline passed. The Brow is averaging just 15.6 points and 8.6 rebounds over his last five games. The Pelicans enter Saturday with a record of 26-34, 13th place in the Western Conference standings.

It's probably a good thing Davis isn't playing on Saturday. He's been getting booed at home since the trade deadline passed. Last week when the Pelicans' video board showed a promo for this game with a picture of Davis and LeBron, the fans in New Orleans booed emphatically.