The Boston Celtics are glad the New Orleans Pelicans didn't deal Anthony Davis before the NBA trade deadline.
But the non-trade could make for a long few months in New Orleans.
Davis suffered a left shoulder injury late in the second quarter of Thursday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, and television cameras caught Davis and his agent, Rich Paul, actually exiting the Smoothie King Center during the second half, leaving the Pelicans to fend for themselves against the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference.
New Orleans went on to win 131-122, prompting head coach Alvin Gentry to dispense some truth when asked how happy he was to see other players step up in Davis' absence, via ESPN:
I'm happy for all of them. Because to tell you the truth, this whole thing has been a dumpster fire. And it's just hard for guys. We want guys to be professional, but it's hard for guys to go through what they've been through.
Davis' teammates have had to deal with incessant trade rumors involving Davis since he requested a trade in late January. So too have players on Davis' primary suitors -- the Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers, to name two -- whose names have been tossed around as potential trade chips.
But Gentry still would rather talk about Davis' teammates than the All-Star big man. When asked if he was bothered by Davis leaving the building early Thursday night, the Pelicans coach got visibly upset before ending the press conference.
It appears Gentry just wants this whole saga to be over, and we can't blame him. But he may have to wait until this summer, when the Celtics can enter the Davis sweepstakes and perhaps make New Orleans an offer it can't refuse.
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