NBA Trade Rumors: 3 players that could leave the Pelicans ahead of the deadline

#1 Anthony Davis

Detroit Pistons v New Orleans Pelicans

It is a matter of when rather than if Anthony Davis will depart the Pelicans. The 25-year-old has requested a trade while also making it clear that he won't be signing a new contract with the team. In the aftermath of the drama, the Pelicans released the following statement:

Relative to specific talks of a trade, we will do this on our terms and our timeline. One that makes the most sense for our team and it will not be dictated by those outside of our organization. We have also requested the League to strictly enforce the tampering rules associated with this transaction.

Judging by the Pelicans response to Davis' request, the franchise clearly won't be forced into a deal. Nevertheless, the Knicks were adamant that Kristaps Porzingis wouldn't be dealt, and days later he joined the Mavericks.

Anything can happen in the final days of the NBA trade window, and if the Lakers offer the Pelicans a trade package that consists of Josh Hart, Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, and Kyle Kuzma, then the Pelicans may be tempted.