Anthony Davis returned to the court Friday night after a three-week absence while recovering from a volar plate avulsion fracture in his left index finger. Of course, the more pressing topic was Davis playing two days after the New Orleans Pelicans refrained from trading him.
His trade demand went public 10 days before this season’s trade deadline, which set off a whirlwind of speculation. The Los Angeles Lakers, Davis’ preferred destination, submitted several proposals in their attempt to pair the six-time All-Star with LeBron James.
Receiving little feedback and not much clarity, the Lakers ultimately walked way from trade talks two days before the deadline and never made contact with the Pelicans after that.