Gayle Benson Denies 'Over My Dead Body' Report on Trading Anthony Davis
New Orleans Pelicans owner Gayle Benson shot down an earlier report that claimed she was extremely opposed to trading Anthony Davis to the Lakers and said it would only happen "over her dead body", according to WDSU's Fletcher Mackel.
WDSU's sports director said he spoke with Benson, who called the report "totally absurd" and "completely untrue." Mackel reports many people in the Pelicans organization think the "sloppy, incorrect reporting" is coming from the same people that said Zion Williamson does not want to be drafted by New Orleans.
ESPN's Jackie MacMullan reported earlier on Friday that the Pelicans' new lead executive would report directly to Benson, who fired general manager Dell Demps in February over his handling of Davis. Benson appears unwilling to send Davis to his preferred destination.
"We have been told, I think, through channels – most of us have heard this same scuttlebutt – that Gayle Benson has basically told him, 'To the Lakers, over my dead body,'" MacMullan said.
Davis shook up the basketball world in January by telling the Pelicans he had no intention of a signing a contract extension. Davis is eligible for a five-year, $240 million supermax should he decide to stay in New Orleans.
The five-time All-Star also requested a trade ahead of the February deadline, mentioning the Lakers high on his list of preferred destinations.
Davis averaged 25.9 points, 12.0 rebounds and 3.9 assists in 2018.
