What does it mean for trade talks for the New Orleans Pelicans that a possibly healthy Anthony Davis isn’t playing tonight against the Chicago Bulls?
For a matchup between two teams like the Chicago Bulls and New Orleans Pelicans bottoming out in the NBA standings at this point of the regular season, it actually carries a good amount of intrigue. Various reports do indicate that the Bulls will be facing a Pelicans team on Feb. 6 that is without its biggest superstar in the lineup, despite him likely being healthy and ready to go, with Anthony Davis.
Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times first reported this news that Anthony Davis would not be suiting up for the Pelicans tonight to face the Bulls just one day before the 2019 NBA Trade Deadline arrives. The 2019 NBA Trade Deadline commences on Feb. 7, and there is plenty of drama sure to be involving both the Bulls and Pelicans.
The Bulls and Pelicans both look to be heavy sellers at the deadline tomorrow, which ends at 3 p.m. Yet, the drama between the Pelicans and Anthony Davis on the trade market seems to be just beginning 24 hours out from the deadline. According to CBS Sports, the Pelicans most discussed trade partner could be pulling out of trade talks involving AD completely.
Alvin Gentry said Anthony Davis is available to play tonight but New Orleans won’t play him until after the trade deadline
— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) February 6, 2019
The Los Angeles Lakers are constantly rumored to be the most fruitful trade partner with the Pelicans for the Anthony Davis deal talks. It does appear as if the Pelicans are trying to throw away a potential deal involving Davis. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the Lakers haven’t even responded to the Pelicans latest attempt at making a deal.
The New Orleans Pelicans still haven't responded on the Los Angeles Lakers' most recent trade proposal for Anthony Davis, league sources tell ESPN. Pelicans have yet to engage L.A. on trade talks. Deadline is nearly 24 hours away.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 6, 2019
All this does come back to impact the Bulls for tonight’s matchup against the Pelicans since it could actually have some say to the transpiration of deadline trades tomorrow. If Anthony Davis was playing for the Pelicans, it could be a glimpse into a future team he could be a part of.
According to the Chicago Tribune, the Bulls tried to pull off a deal involving the Pelicans and AD, but he didn’t want to come to the Windy City. If the Bulls manage to put something together late for the deadline that the Pelicans like, and AD approves of, it could shock the NBA world.
However, a more realistic outcome is the Pelicans hold onto the biggest superstar on the roster past the deadline and the Bulls can make a run for him this coming off-season. But, the Bulls do have plenty of trade pieces to work with including forwards Bobby Portis and Jabari Parker and shooting guard Zach LaVine.
Instead of a potential battle between Anthony Davis and the sliding young Bulls team, we’re going to see a weird convolution of lineups against the Pelicans. If nothing else, this could be the last game we see for players like Parker and Portis in a Bulls jersey.