Whether or not the New Orleans Pelicans trade Anthony Davis prior to the NBA's February 7 trade deadline remains to be seen. But even if Davis isn't dealt at the deadline, there's a chance he has already played his last game for the Pelicans.
According to Marc Stein of The New York Times, there "is a scenario under consideration" in which New Orleans would keep Davis on the sidelines for the remainder of the season "in the name of protecting its prized trade asset rather than playing him."
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Per Stein:
"It has not been definitively decided that Anthony Davis has played his last game for the Pelicans, according to one source close to the situation. But the source said it is a scenario under consideration in the event New Orleans does not move Davis before next Thursday's deadline.
If no trade materializes between now and the Feb. 7 buzzer, with the playoffs essentially out of reach, New Orleans has much more incentive to keep Anthony Davis shelved in the name of protecting its prized trade asset rather than playing him. As does Davis himself ..."
The Pelicans are currently among the bottom three teams in the Western Conference with a record of 23-29.
While the team is now preparing to move Davis, it seems as though they will wait until the offseason to make any blockbuster deal, whether it be with the Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers or any other franchise.