Hoops Habit
Fansided

5 big storylines to watch for in the second half of the 2018-19 NBA season

By Daniel Lubofsky

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 25: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks to dunk on Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics during the first quarter of the game at TD Garden on December 25, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 25: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks to dunk on Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics during the first quarter of the game at TD Garden on December 25, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

4. The Anthony Davis issue

After failing to find a trade to their liking, the New Orleans Pelicans decided to keep Anthony Davis in town, knowing full well of his trade request and his intention to play elsewhere as soon as possible. This was done to allow the Boston Celtics to throw their name in the ring when possible come July, but it’s left the organization with a predicament that doesn’t appear to have a simple solution.

The Pelicans know Davis is as good as gone, so what they’d like to do is get a head start on their inevitable rebuild by increasing the odds of their 2019 draft pick. With a 26-33 record, eighth-worst in the league, their playoff hopes are sunk, but there is still ground to make up to get to the best of the worst — a feat quite difficult with one of the top players in the league still on the roster.

New Orleans would love nothing more than to shut down its franchise player in order to essentially enter into tank mode, but as a league built on the appeal of its stars, the NBA doesn’t want to see one of its marquee names sidelined while fully healthy.

On top of that, considering Davis’ injury history, the Pelicans don’t want to jeopardize their prized trade asset for fear it would diminish the gargantuan haul they are likely to receive from any team looking to place a bid on the table.

The NBA denied a report stating they had threatened New Orleans with a per-game fine of $100,000 for every game Davis sits when he’s available, but it did require the Pelicans to play their six-time All-Star due to “league rules governing competitive integrity,” which, in simpler terms, is the anti-rest rule Adam Silver put in place as a way to prevent tanking.

The Pelicans know they are going to lose maybe the best talent in franchise history come the summertime, and yet they’re not allowed to do what is in the best interests of their organization because it conflicts with those of the league office.

There’s no telling whether New Orleans will obey the league or incur a hefty number of fines. What is obvious, though, is that what was supposed to be a swift and clean breakup that left both parties satisfied has turned into an ugly saga that’s left the Pelicans in a situation they can’t possibly wind up winners in.