Pelicans coach won’t commit to Anthony Davis playing another game with team

The Anthony Davis trade situation is creating a lot of uncertainty in New Orleans.

Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry refused to commit to whether Davis would play another game with the team, though Gentry added that he “assume(s) that he will.”

Alvin Gentry didn’t know how to answer when asked if Anthony Davis will play another game for New Orleans. pic.twitter.com/5JwUBqbK6V

— Mike Singer (@msinger) January 30, 2019

Davis hasn’t played since Jan. 18 with a nagging finger injury. Gentry seems to imply that he might not be back before the Feb. 7 trade deadline, and if he’s not traded, there’s no guarantee the Pelicans would just stick him back in the team if they’re falling out of playoff contention and he would prove a distraction.

The Pelicans have made pretty clear that Davis will be traded on their terms, not his. Shutting him down would certainly preserve his trade value and they could float him on the trade market in the offseason while fully healthy.