The NBA trade deadline passed with New Orleans Pelicans star center Anthony Davis still on the roster.
Davis requested a trade from the team that drafted him in late January. The Pelicans have struggled to build a contender around him, and it appears that his patience finally wore thin.
Unfortunately, the Pelicans chose not to deal Davis at the deadline, which leaves plenty of wounds that need healing. He wanted out so badly that his agent, Rich Paul, publicized Davis's trade request.
Paul noted that Davis will not sign an extension with the team when he becomes a free agent in 2020. His comments earned Davis a $50,000 fine from the NBA.
The Pelicans responded by removing Davis from their introductory video, and rumors circulated that the team would sit him for the rest of the season to maintain his trade value.
New Orleans changed their mind, and Davis will play the rest of the season, but the question is how much damage is done at this point?
Given the Pelicans' treatment of the Los Angeles Lakers in trade negotiations, it's fair to wonder what Davis will do now that he's stuck in New Orleans.
He gave his heart and soul for the Pelicans franchise. Davis served as the face of a team that often gets forgotten. He already chose to stay once, and the team failed to build a contender around him. No one could blame him for wanting to leave while Davis is still in prime.
But what are his options now that the deadline has passed?
3. Gut it out
One option for Davis is to stick it out. He can remove his trade request and spend the next year in New Orleans.
The team will still likely trade him, but that would change if Davis signals that he's willing to fix the relationship and discuss an extension. He could even help his cause further by embracing the franchise again, which would give the Pelicans more leverage in trade discussions at a later time.
Davis will be 27 years old when the 2020 NBA season kicks off, so he should still be in his prime.
The question is whether or not Davis can wait it out without getting bitter. In other words, the Pelicans and Davis could put their differences aside for the short-term to help get the best deal for each other long-term.
It's a long-shot, but you never know in the world of the NBA. He may even change his mind and stay.
2. Keep pushing for a trade
Speaking of a trade, several teams will seek Davis's services this summer.
The Boston Celtics remain the favorite to land him, because they have the most pieces to send New Orleans. However, considering the words of Anthony Davis's father, there is reason to believe that the star center would not re-sign with Boston.
If Davis is committed to winning, there are only a couple teams that can offer enough pieces while maintaining a championship roster. It also limits the Pelicans' options. Teams aren't going to offer the house for a player that won't re-sign.
Davis has some power here. He can keep pushing for a trade. By making it known how unhappy he is in New Orleans, he takes away the Pelicans' leverage. No team wants to keep a player that becomes a locker room distraction.
Sooner or later, the Pelicans would be forced to take less for Davis, which means more teams would enter the fray.
1. Maintain the quiet
Davis has another option. Much like the decision to gut it out, he could choose to handle his business and wait for a deal.
In this case, he's not waiting for free agency in New Orleans.
Instead, he could choose the Dwight Howard route. When the Lakers traded for Dwight Howard, he refused to make any real commitment to the team. Howard then signed with the Houston Rockets instead. Davis could take the same avenue where he uses a team as a temporary pit stop before moving on to his preferred destination.
The key to Howard's decision was that he kept it close to the vest. Davis may do the same.
If Davis gives any impression that he's playing a game about committing long-term, then the situation would become nearly the same as above. Teams won't give up valuable trade assets for a player they doubt will sign long-term.
In the end, it really comes down to what Davis really wants.
Is he looking for a specific team? Or does he want to play with a specific player or players? Is it only about championships at this point?
Some reports have noted that Davis wants to be a Laker, and other reports have stated that simply wants to play for a championship.
Time will tell.
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