This Week in NOLA Sports

09:43 May 31, 2019
By: Reed Darcey

Anthony Davis, Zion, Will Wade, and More


Pelicans

Disgruntled superstar Anthony Davis met with Pelicans Executive Vice President David Griffin on Wednesday in Los Angeles so Griffin could display to Davis his plan for the team's future and offer Davis a chance to retract his trade demand.

According to ESPN, the two sides will continue discussions in the future, though Davis is expected to be absent from the dialogue, allowing his agent Rich Paul of Klutch Sports to speak with Griffin. A report from Shams Charania of The Athletic noted that it is "highly unlikely" Davis flips his stance.

On Thursday Zion Williamson, who will join the Pelicans once the team drafts him with the first selection of June's NBA draft, chose agents Austin Brown and Lisa Joseph-Metelus of CAA to represent him as he begins his professional career. Since his season at Duke ended, every major agency courted Williamson. To the relief of Pelicans fans, he did not choose Klutch Sports, who antagonized fans by orchestrating Davis's trade demand last season.

The Pelicans, along with the Houston Rockets, have shown interest in offering former head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers Tyronn Lue an assistant coaching role on head coach Alvin Gentry's staff, according to Charania. Lue won a championship with Griffin in 2016 and coached with Gentry on the Los Angeles Clippers staff in 2013-14. For his success with LeBron James, Lue, along with Griffin, is held in high regard by Klutch Sports.

LSU Basketball

Head coach Will Wade commented publicly on Tuesday at SEC meetings for the first time since LSU suspended him indefinitely after he was caught on an FBI wiretap discussing a presumed monetary offer he made to recruit point guard Javonte Smart. LSU reinstated Wade after he met with university officials over a month into his suspension.

At the press conference he mostly dodged pointed questions. When asked if he regrets how he handled the situation, he said, "If I could go back and do it all over again I would take the meeting and been a little bit more forceful in getting that meeting. What happened after that, is anytime you get lawyers involved in things you get things drawn out." Wade also said that in the meeting he "disclosed everything and answered any and all questions completely and fully."

His future with the program remains uncertain.

Javonte Smart, Skylar Mays, Emmitt Williams, and Marlon Taylor withdrew from NBA draft this week and will return to Baton Rouge. Naz Reid and Tremont Waters remain in the league's pool of prospects.

Saints

At OTAs this week, young edge rusher Marcus Davenport was a full participant, recovered from a battle with a toe injury.

With the departure of pass rusher Alex Okafor via free agency, the Saints are counting on the young lineman to pressure opposing QBs opposite Cam Jordan on the defensive line for the majority of snaps this season.

Sign Up!

FOR THE INSIDE SCOOP ON DINING, MUSIC, ENTERTAINMENT, THE ARTS & MORE!