Steve Kerr Says Anthony Davis Held Pelicans “Hostage” With Trade Request

Steve Kerr didn’t like the way Anthony Davis forced his way out of New Orleans, and he publicly declared that today. The Golden State’s coach stated that there is a problem based on the way players want to leave their team in situations when they aren’t free agents. Kerr specifically targeted AD’s case as the best example of that.

“I’m talking more about the Anthony Davis situation,” Kerr said. “Where a guy is perfectly healthy and has a couple years left on his deal and says, ‘I want to leave.’ That’s a real problem that the league has to address and that the players have to be careful with.”

Just to remind everyone, Davis wanted to leave the Pelicans back in January 2019 and had requested a trade back then. The Eyebrow’s wish was to team up with Lebron James in the Lakers and to chase the title. But what made all the fuzz back then was the fact that LeBron tampered and openly called AD to come to Los Angeles.

Steve Kerr thinks the Anthony Davis trade to LA could have a negative impact on the NBA. #ComplexNews pic.twitter.com/4YIxbSbHaU

— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) July 24, 2019

After that, Pelicans refused the trade, and limited Davis’ minutes until the end of the season, fully aware that they aren’t maximizing their potential. Everything was prepared for AD to stay in Louisiana, but the Pelicans got the opportunity to build a new team after getting the No.1 pick at the draft lottery. That allowed them to pick Zion Williamson, opening a possibility for a totally different concept in their future, and the new GM David Griffin went that way.

Still, for Kerr, the behavior of the already Lakers’ center is potentially threatening for the entire league, because many other players might follow his path and start blackmailing the club.

“But it’s a little disturbing that there has been some action that happens before contracts are up, where teams are sort of held hostage, and the league is sort of held hostage. I’m not a big fan of that. That’s damaging for everybody.”

Kerr mentioned some big names who waited for their contract to end and then to leave, instead of giving up on the team in the middle of the season or the deal. He spoke about LeBron and Kevin Durant who waited for their contracts to expire and then left the club. Both of them haven’t been in some great situations in the last years of their respective deals with the Cavs and GSW, but decided to be professionals until the very end.

The league punished Davis for his behavior, as they have a rule by which they forbid all the public trade requests and tampering. But the $50,000 fine isn’t that big of a deal having in mind AD’s influence on the game and his income.

Steve Kerr is not a fan of NBA players forcing trades while under contract. pic.twitter.com/dwUeC2ECnQ

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 24, 2019

Three-time champion with the Warriors believes that the contract should be the primary thing, not only because of the rules but also due to a bigger picture. It is not all about the money, as the star like Davis has a certain influence on the entire community.

“When you sign on that dotted line, you owe your effort and your play to that team, to that city, to the fans,” Kerr said.

For now, the Lakers’ center didn’t reply on these statements. But for sure, once Warriors face LAL, it will be interesting to see how these two behave to one another. Apart from being massive rivals for the top of not only the Pacific division, but the Western Conference in general, this will add some fuel on the fire no debate about it.