Davis awaiting next move with Pelicans

The New Orleans Pelicans officially closed out their 2018-19 season last night, falling to the Golden State Warriors 112-103. The season was a trying one for New Orleans, as it went from a playoff team to a lottery-bound one, all while dealing with the mid-season storyline of Anthony Davis’ trade request.

On Wednesday, Davis addressed local media in his exit interview. He remains under contract for the Pelicans, who are also searching for a new GM after firing Dell Demps roughly a week after the NBA trade deadline (when Davis was not moved). Davis told reporters that he’s not worried about who the next GM of the team is, but that he wants to speak with whomever that is about his trade request.

“I’m under contract still,” Davis said, per Nick Friedell of ESPN. “I have a year left. Obviously it’s a possibility it could happen. I don’t have ill will towards anybody. I know that it’s a possibility that next year I could be here as well. So I can’t be mad if I’m here next year.

Observing the developments, particularly who the Pelicans appoint as their General Manager, and then discussing the future with them. My tenure here has been wonderful. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed playing here. It’s an experience I will always cherish deeply. However, the next move depends on the Pelicans’ decision about their General Manager role.

Davis admitted that he might still be with the Pelicans next season as his contract with them extends till 2019-20 and he has a player option for 2020-21. He also hinted at a potential return to the Pelicans in the future, stating “you never know what could happen later in your career,” when asked about the possibility of playing for them again if he gets traded soon.

The probable end of the Davis era in New Orleans came without much fanfare. The unhappy six-time All-Star, who sat out his seventh consecutive game due to alleged back spasms according to the team, sported a T-shirt emblazoned with the iconic Looney Tunes parting phrase, “That’s All Folks.” After the game, as he made his way through the tunnel towards the locker room, he high-fived one of the fans.

Anthony Davis just arrived at the Smoothie King Center sporting a “That’s all Folks!” t-shirt.

This is gonna be a fun night, guys. pic.twitter.com/vvJCsc4IIV

— Andrew Lopez (@_Andrew_Lopez) April 9, 2019

Davis explained this morning why he chose to wear that shirt in what might have been his last game with the team.

“Davis said, “I didn’t choose it. In fact, it was already hanging for me when I got dressed.”

Davis responded with uncertainty when questioned if he knew who had hung it up for him, saying, “No, I’m not sure.”

Anthony Davis says he has no control over his clothes. Someone lays clothes out for every game & he just puts them on. #pelicans pic.twitter.com/FtXnhBVY8b

— Julie Boudwin (@Julie_Boudwin) April 10, 2019

At the conclusion of the game, Alvin Gentry, coach of the Pelicans, portrayed Davis as “a great kid” who had “received some poor guidance”. He was alluding to Davis’ agent, Rich Paul – also LeBron James’s representative – who had arranged a public trade demand in the middle of the season, resulting in a $50,000 fine for Davis.

“Gentry added, ‘There’s absolutely nothing wrong with A.D. He’s a good, solid guy with a strong character.'”

News of the Pelicans beginning their search for a new GM circulated recently, with several names in the mix. Among them are Pelicans interim general manager Danny Ferry, former Cleveland Cavaliers general manager David Griffin, Golden State assistant GM Larry Harris, Brooklyn Nets assistant GM Trajan Langon, Houston Rockets assistant GM Gersson Rosas and interim Washington president of basketball operations Tommy Sheppard.

New Orleans’ next GM is expected to oversee a Davis trade — which could take place as early as this offseason — that has the potential to set the course of the franchise for years to come. That person also could decide the fate of Gentry, who has coached the team the last four seasons and oversaw the team’s run to the 2018 Western Conference semifinals.

Overall this season, Davis averaged 25.9 points, 12 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.6 steals and 2.4 blocks per game. He appeared in 56 games, a career-low, and saw downturns in his overall shooting (51.7 percent) and 3-point shooting (33.1 percent) from 2018-19. Following the Feb. 7 trade deadline, Davis never played more than 34 minutes in a game.

Davis was recently fined $15,000 by the NBA after he made an obscene gesture to a fan after a 115-109 home loss to the Charlotte Hornets on April 3.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.