NBA denies threatening to fine Pelicans for benching Anthony Davis

With the NBA trade deadline having passed and Anthony Davis remaining in New Orleans, there was some talk of the Pelicans potentially benching the star big man for the remainder of the season. They have opted not to go that route, but the NBA insists that has nothing to do with the threat of a massive fine from the league.

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported last week that the NBA threatened to fine New Orleans $100,000 per game if they benched a healthy Davis. However, league officials did remind the Pelicans that rules prevent them from engaging in such activity.

NBA spokesman Mike Bass tells @NYTSports on the Pelicans and Anthony Davis: “The NBA did not tell New Orleans that it would be fined $100,000 per game if Anthony Davis were held out for the remainder of season … (QUOTE CONTINUED IN NEXT TWEET)

— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 11, 2019

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

That rule was implemented after the San Antonio Spurs popularized the practice of resting star players during nationally televised games. It is also designed to prevent teams from tanking in an attempt to secure a higher draft spot.

While the NBA may not have directly threatened to fine the Pelicans, that is probably where things were headed. We have already seen a fine handed out over the Davis situation, so it would not have been a surprise if New Orleans was penalized.