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Production at the NBA rumor mill kicked into high gear last summer after LeBron James announced he’d be opting out of the final year of his contract with the Cavaliers.
After endless speculation, LeBron signed a deal with the Lakers that will likely take him to the end of his career, and while he doesn’t exactly have the best supporting cast Los Angeles has ever seen, there’s been plenty of speculation he may eventually find another star player by his side in the form of Anthony Davis.
Last month, NBA executives threw a temper tantrum after James had dinner with Davis and the league was forced to issue a passive-aggressive statement reminding teams to stay out of each other’s business.
ESPN has obtained a memo that the NBA sent to teams today to "serve as a reminder of the league's anti-tampering rule." In letter, NBA says, "employment contracts are to be respected and conduct that interferes w/ contractual relationships is prohibited."
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 28, 2018
Davis acted like he could care less about playing with LeBron when asked about the rumors and Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry made it very clear the team had no intention of parting ways the superstar before his contract expires at the end of the season.
Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry was clear tonight on speculation on his star's future: "We’re not trading him. I can say that to the world. We’re not gonna trade him, no matter what. That’s not an option. It doesn’t matter what anybody says or does. We’re not trading Anthony Davis."
— Steve Aschburner (@AschNBA) December 20, 2018
Yeah… About that…
Agent Rich Paul has notified the New Orleans Pelicans that All-NBA forward Anthony Davis has no intention of signing a contract extension if and when presented and that he has requested a trade, Paul told ESPN on Monday.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 28, 2019
On Monday, Davis delivered a sucker punch to the guts of New Orleans sports fans who are still reeling from the no-call in the NFC Championship Game when his agent Rich Paul announced the (soon-to-be-former) Pelican was planning on taking his talents elsewhere sooner rather than later.
Paul didn’t provide much additional insight but did say that (shocker) Davis would prefer to play for a team that can theoretically do what the Pelicans probably aren’t going to any time soon.
Rich Paul to ESPN on a preferred destination for Anthony Davis: "Anthony wants to be traded to a team that allows him the chance to win consistently and compete for a championship."
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 28, 2019
NBA Twitter might have just gotten out of bed but it didn’t waste any time reacting.
https://twitter.com/PeachCiroc_/status/1089861229471064064
“Are the Lakers going to get Anthony Davis?”
Laker fans: https://t.co/zX2jpwSBRR
— NOTSportsCenter (@NOTSportsCenter) January 28, 2019
“Anthony Davis has requested a trade”
LeBron: pic.twitter.com/cfLT3DYNCH
— Dead Serious (@Deadseriousness) January 28, 2019
Magic Johnson on his way to phone Anthony Davis' camp: pic.twitter.com/iL99eTZtbY
— GHOST (@GhostCPJ_SZN) January 28, 2019
https://twitter.com/BruhReport/status/1089861339240005632
https://twitter.com/Lowkey_Vex/status/1089864208567750659
Woj: Anthony Davis requested a trade
Bron going to Charlotte for All-Star Weekend: pic.twitter.com/tNkn1uK1qQ
— jujoffer (@jujoffer) January 28, 2019
REPORTER: So why leave New Orleans?
ANTHONY DAVIS: pic.twitter.com/Vfhxqf6nZQ
— 🎾 (@HattrickEwing33) January 28, 2019
Anthony Davis: “I Would Like A Trade & Will Not Be Signing An Extension If Offered…….”
Pelicans Front Office: pic.twitter.com/CwV0DJfWuK
— First Class 🏁 (@1DJFirstClass) January 28, 2019
Anthony Davis trying to leaving New Orleans pic.twitter.com/UDFZfB4Rpe
— kyle (@knicks_tape99) January 28, 2019
The Celtics have expressed interest in acquiring Davis, but according to ESPN, the Lakers currently have the advantage thanks to a clause that would prevent him and Kyrie Irving from playing together this season.
When the Celtics try and trade for Anthony Davis. pic.twitter.com/Y6WnZedziY
— Gifdsports (@gifdsports) January 28, 2019
Let the games begin.