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Update: According to Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times, the Lakers have “pulled out” of Anthony Davis trade talks:
The Lakers have “pulled out” of any more conversations in trying to acquire New Orleans All-Star Anthony Davis because of the Pelican’s “outrageous” trade requests, according to a person with knowledge of the situation not authorized to speak publicly.
Magic Johnson, the Lakers president of basketball operations, told New Orleans general manager Dell Demps Tuesday morning that Los Angeles had made its best offer that the Pelicans had wanted, but that the Lakers were not willing to add anything else and would be moving on, a person said.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski says the Lakers don’t want to bid against themselves, but are still interested in Davis:
The Lakers are still glad to engage with the Pelicans on an Anthony Davis trade, but no longer want to bid against themselves, league sources tell ESPN. Lakers are waiting for Pelicans to make a counter-proposal.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 5, 2019
If Pelicans want to counter the Lakers most recent offer on Davis, Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka are obviously anxious to find a pathway for a trade. This is a negotiation tactic on behalf of Lakers, who have wanted New Orleans to show more initiative in the process. https://t.co/A18urbnu6h
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 5, 2019
We’ll update as more reports come in. Original article is as follows:
The trade saga between the New Orleans Pelicans and Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis continues with the NBA trade deadline only days away. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Monday night that the Pelicans need more from the Lakers to get a deal done for Davis. In fact, they want a blockbuster offer from the Lakers, ripe with draft picks, to even consider moving Davis:
Pels are waiting on Lakers to overwhelm them w/ an historic haul of picks. To Nola, that means Lakers offering 4 first-round and second-round picks as part of a Davis package. Pels want to be compensated - perhaps even overcompensated - to even consider a deal with LA now. https://t.co/Ft8rfe9EBZ
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 5, 2019
The trade deadline is Thursday, and unless the Los Angeles Lakers can come up with significant assets to motivate the Pelicans, it looks like Davis may remain in New Orleans for the time being.
To add another wrinkle to the story: Yahoo Sports insider Chris Haynes reports that Anthony Davis did not return from a finger injury on Monday night because the Pelicans front office kept him out of the game. Davis wanted to play against the Pacers, according to Haynes:
Davis, 25, eagerly wanted to suit up at home against the Indiana Pacers after recovering from a left finger avulsion that sidelined him for a little more than two weeks, sources said, but the organization elected to keep him inactive. There’s the impression that his absence could potentially extend until the conclusion of Thursday’s 3 p.m. ET trade deadline, sources said.
The Pelicans play the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night just before the trade deadline. It remains to be seen whether Davis will play.