The New Orleans Pelicans have asked the NBA to enforce its tampering rules as they seek a trade for Anthony Davis.

The team added in a press release that they are in no rush to deal the superstar before the trade deadline, and will do so on their own terms and timeline.

An NBA spokesman said that the league has opened an investigation for tampering in regards to the timing of Davis’ trade demand.

The Pelicans’ statement reads:

This past weekend, Anthony Davis’ representatives informed us that Anthony does not wish to sign a contract extension with our team and subsequently has requested a trade. Although we are disappointed in this decision, our organization’s top priority is to bring an NBA championship to our city and fans and build our team for long-term success.

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.

Now it seems he has a preferred destination. 

According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, Paul and Davis plan to make it known that they will only make a long-term commitment with the Lakers:

After agent Rich Paul of Klutch Sports told ESPN on Monday that he had informed the Pelicans that Davis wouldn’t sign an extension this summer and wanted a trade, multiple league sources expect the agent and star to soon deliver word throughout the league that Davis’ preferred destination is the Lakers and he’ll become a rental player until 2020 with a trade anywhere else.

It would be an attempt to depress offers in the marketplace, a way to perhaps make the Lakers’ trade package more appealing.

This was reported back in December. 

It sounds like the Lakers and Anthony Davis is going to happen, it’s just a matter of time. .

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