Steve Kerr Says Anthony Davis Trade Demand Was 'Bad for the League'

Kerr called Davis' trade request with two years left on his contract, "a real problem."

Warriors head coach Steve Kerr voiced his concern over the Lakers' acquisition of Anthony Davis on Wednesday, calling Los Angeles' trade with the Pelicans, "a real problem that the league has to address."

Kerr discussed the rapid player movement this offseason on NBC Sports Bay Area's Warriors Insider podcast. And while Golden State's head coach didn't criticize those who went to a new team in free agency, he did have a problem with Davis' trade request out of New Orleans. 

"Where a guy is perfectly healthy and has a couple of 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," Kerr said. "The Davis stuff was really kind of groundbreaking—and hopefully not a trend, because it's bad for the league."

Davis was traded to the Lakers in June, less than five months after formally requesting a trade from the Pelicans. The Kentucky product enters 2019-20 on the final year of his contract and is eligible to become a free agent next summer. 

But one NBA player was not having Kerr's comments. Former NBA player Kendrick Perkins dissed Kerr in a series of tweets, calling out the coach and the connection to Kevin Durant. 

Steve Kerr got his got damn nerves to talk about anything that’s going on with any other organization, as if he just didn’t have Kevin Durant join a 73-9 team! BTW @SteveKerr Mark Jackson built that dynasty in GS!!! The Nerve of him!

— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) July 24, 2019

Luke Walton went 20-1 with the same team when Kerr was out so don’t come telling me how great of a Coach Kerr is! Please Stop it!

— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) July 24, 2019

I wonder why @SteveKerr didn’t say anything about Paul George forcing his way outta of OKC? I know why because Alvin Gentry is his close friend! Hidden Agendas!!! SMH

— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) July 24, 2019

AD had just as much as of obligation as the team, the team traded every 1st round pick they had , surrounded him with mediocre talent consistently, but you rather him be stuck there. He actually did them a favor and allowed the team to hit the reset button and retain assets!

— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) July 24, 2019

Houston traded Chris Paul after they said they wasn’t, I don’t see sympathy for him. AD just got in front of it, so Kudos to him!

— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) July 24, 2019

First of all I knew KD was FA but my point was that when KD signed with GS was that bad for the league? Kerr said AD forcing a trade was bad for the league, so I guess KD signing with a 73-9 team was great for the league huh? Smh

— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) July 24, 2019

The Lakers are one of many contenders Kerr and the Warriors will battle for the Western Conference crown in 2019-20. The Warriors are undergoing a rebuild of their own, acquiring D'Angelo Russell in the offseason as Durant chose the Nets in free agency.