Anthony Davis was ready to suit back up against the Indiana Pacers on Monday night after returning to full health from a left finger avulsion, only to be kept from making his return to the court by the front office, according to Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports.
Davis was eagerly waiting to return, but the front office chose to keep him inactive in light of the recent trade situation involving him ahead of Thursday's 3 p.m. ET trade deadline.
It's not abnormal to see teams take this measure, given the fragile nature of the sport, especially considering a player coming back from an injury.
The Los Angeles Lakers, the team who has been making the grandest effort to acquire him in a trade, would certainly like to be able to use him right away considering they're two spots out of the eighth and last seed in the Western Conference.
They recently offered a package including Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, Brandon Ingram, Rajon Rondo, Lance Stephenson, Michael Beasley, and two first-round picks, along with taking on Solomon Hill's contract. This offer was apparently met with silence, then the request for four first-rounders and future assets, along with a player of All-NBA potential, which the Pelicans fail to see on the Lakers' roster.
Davis could also be “shut down to an extent” by the Pelicans if they cannot trade him by the deadline, a move that only makes sense with the team in 13th place and far enough from a playoff seed to not make it worth the chase.
New Orleans would benefit more by landing high in the NBA Draft Lottery than pursuing a postseason spot with a star who no longer wants to be there, making this strategy plenty justified.
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