Anthony Davis says door ‘closed’ on return to Pelicans after ‘final straw’

Anthony Davis says there won’t be a reunion with the Pelicans. Not now. Not later.

That door? Closed.

Davis said he once thought about the idea of returning to New Orleans late in his career. He even told team owner Gayle Benson at the time of his trade request that it might not be the end of the story.

Things change.

“You know how it always goes… towards the end of your career, you might want to go back,” Davis said, via HoopsHype. “I left that door open.”

Not anymore. Davis pointed to his return to New Orleans after the trade — and what didn’t happen.

Basically, there was no tribute.

“When I went back that first game and got no tribute, I said ‘oh, that door is closed… I can’t. That door is closed.’”

That stuck with him. Davis added that the Pelicans’ reaction to his departure — including continued boos — only reinforced things.

“Like it’s not even about the money. Like I genuinely want to win,” he said. “And so now because I want to win, I’m considered a villain to this team and to this fan base.”

During the conversation, Draymond Green pushed back on the way Davis has been received.

“You don’t boo the best player in your franchise history. You appreciate him,” Green said.

Davis didn’t disagree. But the lack of a tribute? That’s the part he hasn’t let go.