Pelicans Part Ways With General Manager Dell Demps

Demps was let go after failed Anthony Davis trade talks.

Feb 15, 2019
Dell Demps
Getty

Image via Getty/Jonathan Bachman

Dell Demps
Getty

Image via Getty/Jonathan Bachman

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports that general manager Dell Demps will no longer be working the Pelicans after Anthony Davis trade talks ended with him staying in New Orleans.

New Orleans has parted ways with GM Dell Demps, league sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 15, 2019

The Los Angeles Lakers were ready to take Davis on board, but they later pulled out of trade negotiations due to "outrageous" trade requests. The ongoing drama surrounding Davis was undoubtedly a contributing factor to Demps' departure.

Wojnarowski also revealed that the ownership was particularly upset with Davis leaving the arena after suffering a shoulder injury during Thursday night's game against the Thunder. Pelicans owner Gayle Benson reportedly wants a complete overhaul of her team.

Ownership was livid with an injured Anthony Davis leaving arena during Thursday night’s game, sources say. Gayle Benson is telling associates she wants an overhaul of Pelicans and a search for a GM to take command of Davis trade talks and the reshaping of team’s future.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 15, 2019

Ownership’s plan with a new GM will be continuing to push back on Anthony Davis preferred trade destinations if they don’t make sense for Pels — especially with a full year left on his contract, per sources.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 15, 2019

Reactions to Demps' departure has ranged from jokes celebrating the news to people defending the decisions he made and placing the blame for the Pelicans' troubles on ownership.

Dell Demps held on to Anthony Davis longer than he did his job.

— Robin Lundberg (@robinlundberg) February 15, 2019

Demps obviously didn't build a strong team. And I thought they should have made the AD deal before the deadline. But I really feel for him if the edict not to trade with the Lakers came from above and then he was canned.

— Robin Lundberg (@robinlundberg) February 15, 2019

Despite his shoulder injury, sources close to Davis explain that he plans to play in Sunday's All-Star Game.

BasketballNBAAnthony DavisDell DempsNew OrleansNew Orleans PelicansNews

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