Report: Pelicans release statement making Anthony Davis trade to Lakers unlikely

On Monday it was reported that All-Star big man Anthony Davis had requested a trade from the New Orleans Pelicans, with the Los Angeles Lakers serving as a possible destination.

Based on a statement made by Davis’ current team, however, a trade to Los Angeles seems quite unlikely.

The reason why the Pelicans decrying tampering in the NBA has implications for the Lakers is because of the recent accusations of tampering for both team president Magic Johnson and star small forward LeBron James.

For Johnson, comments in the past have earned fines. He was fined back in August 2017 for tampering with Oklahoma City Thunder star Paul George. He was also fined in February 2018 for comments regarding Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo.

As for James, some questioned whether he was actively trying to recruit Davis to Los Angeles earlier this season when he openly admitted that he would love to play with the versatile big man.

“That would be amazing,” James told ESPN in December, referring to the Lakers landing Davis through a trade. “That would be amazing, like, duh. That would be incredible.”

With all this information, it seems quite clear that the Pelicans are accusing the Lakers of trying to influence Davis’ decision.

In the end, it seems likely that the Pelicans will honor Davis’ request to be traded, either before the Feb. 7 NBA trade deadline or following the 2018-19 season.