New Orleans Pelicans superstar Anthony Davis will not play against the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night, and rumor has it that it is part of a pre-approved plan with the NBA:
Re: Anthony Davis rest tonight
Sources tell me this was a part of the pre-approved plan. Team has been transparent with AD and the NBA regarding plan going forward. The League knew he’d be sitting tonight and was fine with it.
— Andrew Lopez (@_Andrew_Lopez) February 23, 2019
This comes as no surprise at all.
In the lead-up to the trade deadline earlier this month, the Lakers aggressively pursued a deal for Davis, reportedly making a godfather offer to the Pelicans that was said to include Kyle Kuzma, Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Ivica Zubac, Josh Hart, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and multiple draft picks. However, they were rebuffed, and New Orleans ended up holding on to Davis for now.
Rumors also surfaced that the Pelicans were not at all happy with all of the leaks that were said to come out of the Lakers camp about Davis, with Los Angeles essentially sabotaging New Orleans' attempts to find a good deal.
As a result, some have even said that the Pelicans held trade talks with the Lakers out of spite to try and cause friction in LA's locker room and never had any intention of dealing Davis there before the deadline.
The Pels will now be able to punt to the offseason and field more trade offers for Davis then, and many feel that the Boston Celtics will be at the head of the pack with a trade package centered around young star Jayson Tatum.
The New York Knicks may also represent a possibility if they end up with the No. 1 overall pick, which would give the Pelicans a chance to draft Zion Williamson.
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