It’s finally out in the open. The worst-kept secret in the National Basketball Association was brought to the fore yesterday, with agent Rich Paul formally notifying the Pelicans of All-Star Anthony Davis’ desire to be traded to a contender. Tellingly, he saw fit to personally inform his teammates of the development, as much in keeping with the same spirit of transparency as in acknowledging that he felt their collective efforts weren’t enough to net them a second straight playoff stint.
Indeed, Davis made the decision to explore his options elsewhere in light of the Pelicans’ inability to stay relevant in the highly competitive West. They’re third to last in the conference, and they most certainly would have been in worse position were it not for his otherworldly exertions. Prior to yesterday’s announcement, he frequently lamented that he needed to be at his level best just for the blue and gold to have a chance to win. In retrospect, it was in equal measure a call for help as a hint of his mindset.
Perhaps Davis knew all along that it would come to this. His hiring of Paul, who also happens to be LeBron James’ agent and longtime friend, seemed to portend the development. And, in terms of dispelling the notion that he targeted a partnership with the four-time Most Valuable Player all along, the timing doesn’t help. With a week to go before the trade deadline, the Lakers will most certainly be active in engaging the Pelicans in talks; having come up empty in the Paul George sweepstakes, they have a better gauge of the risks involved in letting free agency play out as opposed to taking advantage of opportunities at hand.
Not that the Pelicans will be moved to hasten Davis’ departure. For all his contributions to the cause, they are under no obligation to accommodate him. No doubt, it was why he didn’t bother to give them a deadline or a list of preferred destinations. He knew they would do what’s best for them and not for him, anyway. And, moving forward, it means they will be weighing the negatives of keeping him on the roster even as he’s already one foot out the door against the positives of waiting until the offseason to field offers from more suitors.
In any case, the outcome is inevitable. At some point in the not-too-distant future, he will be wearing a different uniform. Which means the Pelicans are compelled to make the transition as smooth possible. How and in what manner is anybody’s guess.
Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994.
