Getty Image
The New Orleans Pelicans are not happy with the NBA, LeBron James or the Lakers after Anthony Davis’ agent Rich Paul announced that the Pels big man was requesting a trade this morning.
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
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
After Paul’s statement to ESPN, the New Orleans Pelicans immediately called foul and and are asking the league to investigate if LeBron or the Lakers tampered with Anthony Davis.
New Orleans statement to ESPN on Anthony Davis: "This past weekend, Anthony Davis' representatives informed us that Anthony does not wish to sign a contract extension with our team and subsequently has requested a trade. Although we are disappointed in this decision…"
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 28, 2019
…"our organization's top priority is to bring an NBA championship to our city and fans build our team for long-term success. Relative to specific talks of a trade, we will do this on our timeline. One that make sense for our team and it will not be dictated by those outside…" https://t.co/InAp332vtV
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 28, 2019
Pels statement continued: "…of our organization. We have also requested the League to strictly enforce the tampering rules associated with this transaction." https://t.co/kPI6HOkZrF
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 28, 2019
Just last month several NBA GMs around the league were angry with the NBA for not fining LeBron James for tampering after he made comments about wanting Davis to join the Lakers while speaking to the media.
The @PelicansNBA response to LeBron's comment "It would be amazing" to play w/ AD if Lakers trade for him: GM Dell Demps tells me "Pels are leaving it up to League to determine if that qualifies as tampering. Pels have no intention of trading AD. Focused on winning in West now."
— Jennifer Hale (@JenHale504) December 20, 2018
“If these are the rules, enforce them,” one Western Conference GM told ESPN. “If you want to push Anthony Davis in L.A., if you allow LeBron to interfere with teams, then just do it. Change the rules, and say, ‘It’s the wild, wild west and anything goes.’
“But give us a list of the rules that you’re enforcing, and give us a list of the rules that you’re going to ignore.”
Here are the tampering rules for players according to the NBA bylaws.
Any Player who, directly or indirectly, entices, induces, persuades or attempts to entice, induce or persuade any Player, Coach, Trainer, General Manager, or any other person who is under contract to any other Member of the Association to enter into negotiations for or relating to his services shall, on being charged with such tampering, should be given an opportunity to answer to such charges after due notice and the Commissioner shall have the power to decide whether or not the charges have been sustained …”
The NBA has stated that they are currently investigating the entire situation to see if there was tampering.
NBA spokesman: “We commenced an investigation this morning upon reading the reports regarding Anthony Davis. That process is ongoing.” One reason: an on-the-record request for a trade by an agent or a player. Davis could be fined.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 28, 2019