Anthony Davis insisted hiring Rich Paul – LeBron James’ agent and someone known for hardline negotiations – didn’t mean Davis would leave the Pelicans.
Of course, Davis requested a trade, ideally to the Lakers. Paul steered his client to Los Angeles to team up with LeBron.
That doesn’t prove Davis hired Paul to leave New Orleans. But it looks that way and even looked that way without the benefit of hindsight – including to Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry.
Gentry, via Jackie MacMullan of ESPN:
After Davis hired Paul, Gentry was also vehement the Pelicans wouldn’t trade Davis.
I understand why he said that. He was trying to convey a sense of calm. His role as coach includes keeping the team focused on winning, not other distractions.
But especially if Gentry believed all along a Davis trade request was inevitable, we probably shouldn’t trust Gentry’s characterizations of team dynamics anymore.