Top 100 moments of the 2018-19 NBA season, Part 2
23. The Anthony Davis trade request
On Jan. 28, the moment New Orleans Pelicans fans had been dreading for years in the back of their minds finally arrived. As first reported by ESPN‘s Adrian Wojnarowski, Anthony Davis informed the team that he would not sign a five-year, $240 million supermax extension over the summer, and with free agency looming in 2020, he was effectively requesting a trade.
This was the change of heart that will alter the future of the Pelicans — and the landscape of the league at large — for the next decade. It dooms one team to a rebuild, encourages the rest of the NBA to enter a bidding war, will provide fans with an eventual blockbuster the likes of which we’ve never seen, and could alter the championship picture for years to come depending on where he ends up.
Gentry said the fallout from the Davis trade discussions for the both the Lakers and the Pelicans was the most ‘toxic’ situation he’s seen in 31 years in the league.
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) April 10, 2019
Unfortunately for AD, his agent Rich Paul, LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers, the Pelicans were unable (and unwilling) to move the Brow before this year’s trade deadline. This was the smart play, since the Lakers’ youngsters were banged up throughout the year and didn’t show enough progress to outweigh the potential deals the Boston Celtics (if they offer Jayson Tatum) or the New York Knicks (if they win the No. 1 pick) will be able to put on the table this summer.
However, that also meant minute restrictions and a very awkward post-deadline situation where everyone knew AD wanted out. The Pelicans couldn’t just sit him to protect the health of their main trade asset, since the NBA threatened to fine them $100,000 for every game he sat out, but giving him for 20 minutes a night and hardly playing him in the second half was thoroughly uncomfortable.
In his first game after the trade deadline, Davis dropped 32 points and nine boards in 25 minutes, but rested late. He received an odd smattering of boos whenever he touched the ball, but the boos turned to cheers when he scored.
Pelicans fans probably wouldn’t define this as a “top moment” of their season. If anything, it was one of the most brutal and upsetting moments in franchise history. However, it’s undeniable this was one of the most important, unforgettable developments in the NBA this season, and it’s one that will continue to impact the rest of the league based on what happens this summer.