We told you before that this situation was going to turn ugly and the first indications of this New Orleans Pelicans and Anthony Davis breakup have been showing.
Apparently, the team has taken him out of their introduction video.
The New Orleans Pelicans removed Anthony Davis from the end of the intro video where it shows the entire team.
— Andrew Lopez (@_Andrew_Lopez) January 31, 2019
Now there’s reports coming out that AD may never play for the Pelicans again, as the team could shut him down for the season thanks to news that he wanted to be traded away from N.O. According to Marc Stein of the New York Times, if Davis isn’t traded before the deadline, the organization is seriously considering not playing him again.
It has not been definitively decided that Anthony Davis has played his last game for the Pelicans, according to one source close to the situation. But the source said it is a scenario under consideration in the event New Orleans does not move Davis before next Thursday's deadline
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) January 31, 2019
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski also reported on NBA Countdown last night that the team is being “methodical” with trading The Brow and he doesn’t believe they will trade him before the deadline because their options will open if they wait until the summer. He did contradict the NYT’s reporting, in the sense that they want him to come back to the court.
Regardless of what happens, it looks like AD’s days with the Pelicans are numbered. Will he ever play for the team again? Will they tank for a pick this season? If Davis never plays again, how will they rebuild?
UPDATE: The Los Angeles Times reports that the Pelicans front office has listened to deals for AD, including four offers from the Lakers. One of them included most of the young core, but the money doesn’t add up.
Sources: Lakers let Demps know one of trade scenarios would include Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, Brandon Ingram, Ivica Zubac, No. 1 pick, per source.
— Brad Turner (@BA_Turner) January 31, 2019
Other reports have come out and said that AD intends to only sign with the Los Angeles, so any team trading for him will only have him as a rental. Regardless of where he goes, he plans on going to the Lakers.
OS REWIND: Anthony Davis Prefers Lakers Trade, Alvin Gentry Responds to News