Los Angeles Lakers: How Dell Demps firing impacts Anthony Davis trade
By Ronald Agers
How close were the Lakers to landing Davis?
Even though the Anthony Davis trade did not go through, many thought the Lakers would nab Davis. Was it even close?
David Grubb:
"It was never close. The Pelicans had no intention of trading Davis prior to the deadline. Honestly, why would they? The idea that Davis was going to reject the super max extension wasn’t that foreign to people who have been around the team for years. But red flags popped up the moment Davis’ trade demand became public. It was clear that Klutch had orchestrated the timing to force a trade to the Lakers and only the Lakers prior to the deadline. Mickey Loomis, the GM of the Saints and VP of Basketball Operations for the Pelicans, brought the mentality of his football negotiations to the table and refused to be forced to part with an “asset” under duress. So in that sense, there was no chance of a deal getting done."
The fact that the GM of the NFL Saints is running the Basketball Operations probably be addressed in the next GM hire going forward.
Right now, the interim GM will be former Cleveland and Atlanta GM Danny Ferry. He has a LeBron James relationship as well. He was the GM during LeBron’s first tenure in Cleveland. The question now, is, was this an issue with Davis and the future of the franchise?
Sam Amick of The Athletic on Anthony Davis’ rumored feelings…
"“the idea that the Pelicans were less of a priority to ownership than the Saints has been a growing concern.”"
Only to be refuted quite strongly by Alvin Gentry.
"“That’s the furthest thing from the truth, and if you don’t believe me, I’ll take all you guys to the practice facility, and you go visit any other one in the NBA, and you tell me that it’s not as good as any other place in the NBA,” Gentry said after Wednesday’s game. “To say that (the Pelicans are second-class citizens) is really disrespectful.” “All this stuff to me, to be honest, it really pisses me off. … ’Cause you should ask us if we feel like second-class citizens, and I can tell you right now that’s the furthest thing from the truth. There’s nothing that we ask for or want that Mrs. (Benson) won’t give us to try and help us win games."
Based on the events on Thursday, the disconnect between Anthony Davis and Alvin Gentry is a possible issue. For the NBA and how things have been handled, Commissioner Adam Silver weighed in.
"“I would just say, blanketedly, no, I don’t like trade demands,” Silver told the press. “I wish they didn’t come, and I wish all those matters were handled behind closed doors.”"
Maybe with the next negotiations and the fact that Magic Johnson dismissed questions about Kemba Walker, the offseason negotiations will be just that, behind closed doors.