Reports had noted that the New Orleans Pelicans would be heavily fined if they benched star Anthony Davis after failing to trade him. As it turns out, that’s not quite true.
NBA spokesman Mike Bass clarified the issue. His statement was released by Marc Stein of The New York Times.
More from the NBA’s Mike Bass on New Orleans and Anthony Davis: ”The Pelicans were advised that the team had not identified a proper basis for making that determination at this time and league rules governing competitive integrity therefore require that he be permitted to play.”
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 11, 2019
There would be some logic in the Pelicans benching Davis. It’s at least highly possible that he’ll be traded in the offseason. The last thing New Orleans would want would be an injury that lessens Davis’ value. This is especially true now that the Pelicans are essentially out of playoff contention.
On the other hand, it’s easy to see why the league would mandate that Davis play.
It’s a complicated matter, to be sure. Things don’t figure to get any less complicated as we get deeper into the season, particularly if New Orleans continues to fall in the standings.