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LeBron James' Anthony Davis comments annoy NBA managers

By Shona Duthie

Saturday 22 December 2018 10:30, UK

LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans fight for position during a game on December 21, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
Image: LeBron James and Anthony James side by side in LA Lakers' 104-112 win at New Orleans

LeBron James' comments about how "amazing" it would be to play with New Orleans Pelicans' Anthony Davis have upset NBA managers.

Some general managers [GMs] feel James' expressed admiration about possibly teaming up at the Los Angeles Lakers' with Davis was tampering, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

However, some of these GMs have been left irritated that the league has not enforced their tampering rules when it comes to the Davis situation.

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"Several GMs told ESPN that they reached out to New Orleans Pelicans GM Dell Demps to express dismay over what they perceive as the NBA's tacit endorsement of James' comments to ESPN's Dave McMenamin calling the possibility of Davis' arrival as 'amazing' and 'incredible'", said Wojnarowski.

"It's New Orleans' problem today, and a problem with a different player tomorrow for the rest of us. It's open season on small markets and our players," one Eastern Conference GM told ESPN.

The NBA bylaw states any "player, coach, trainer or GM who tries to indirectly or directly entice or persuade another person under contract should be given an opportunity to answer such charges".

LeBron James guards former team-mate Dwyane Wade
Image: LeBron joined the LA Lakers in free-agency after leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers

Adam Silver, the NBA commissioner, "shall then have the power to decided whether the charges will stand or not".

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An NBA spokesman said: "Each case is assessed on its own facts. In general, absent evidence of team coordination or other aggravating factors, it is not tampering when a player makes a comment about his interest in playing with another team's player."

Anthony Davis
Image: Davis has been included in the NBA All-Star game five times

Davis signed with agent Rich Paul of Klutch Sports in September, the same agency who represents James and other NBA talents, however, he does not become a free agent until after the 2019/20 season.

Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry said they will not be trading their center and power forward anytime soon.

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LeBron James battled through illness to post a triple-double in the Los Angeles Lakers' victory over the New Orleans Pelicans

"No we're not trading him," he said. "We're not trading him under any circumstance. You can move on from that one."

Davis was the No.1 pick of the 2012 NBA draft and is averaging 28.0 points per game for the Pelicans.

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