The New Orleans Pelicans have been limited on cap space during most of the tenure of Anthony Davis.

When they found cap space again in 2016 with the salary cap increase, they considered spending all of it on Harrison Barnes.

The Pelicans instead signed E'Twaun Moore and Solomon Hill while letting Eric Gordon and Ryan Anderson walk.

Barnes ultimately signed with the Dallas Mavericks.

Anthony Davis has yet to tell those close to him he is "dead set" on joining the Los Angeles Lakers or any other specific team.

Davis also does not appear ready to demand a trade from the New Orleans Pelicans.

Davis has been consistent with his public comments about wanting to win with the Pelicans.

The Boston Celtics have long been interested in Davis and presumably could offer the Pelicans the best package, while the Lakers could also put together a potential trade for Davis.

Teams interested in trading for Anthony Davis expect him to cycle through a series of short-term contracts until he can sign a long-term deal at 35 percent of the cap.

Davis could sign a supermax extension with the New Orleans Pelicans at 35 percent of the cap this offseason.

Rich Paul, who represents Davis, has worked with LeBron James on a number of short-term contracts during his second tenure with the Cleveland Cavaliers. 

Anthony Davis has a 15 percent trade bonus in his contract, which the New Orleans Pelicans would be responsible to pay if he's dealt in July.

This would mean an extra $4.1 million payment to Davis. The trade bonus would be negligible if he's dealt during the season.

"There's no way they're paying that trade kicker," a Western Conference executive said. "None."

There's a belief that Davis and Rich Paul could say they will only waive the trade bonus if he's dealt to the Lakers.

Davis could benefit from his next contract being shorter if he's dealt by the Pelicans. Davis would be eligible for the top-tier max salary in 2022.

A general manager in the Western Conference described LeBron James and Rich Paul as "mafioso mob bosses" in comments to Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report.

James spoke publicly about the Los Angeles Lakers acquiring Anthony Davis, which some see as less of an issue as Davis being represented by Paul.

"I'm not worried about James tampering to the media about AD. It's that James and Paul are mafioso mob bosses of the NBA that's the problem," a Western Conference general manager said.

A number of executives believe Davis will end up traded to the Lakers or Boston Celtics during the 2019 offseason.

Anthony Davis says he values his legacy more than money.

Davis won't be swayed by the supermax when considering his long-term future with the New Orleans Pelicans.

“I’d take legacy over money,” Davis told Yahoo Sports after posting game highs of 30 points and 20 rebounds to go with five assists in Friday’s loss. “I want to have a legacy. All my people that look up to me, the younger kids, I want them to know about AD’s legacy. Championships, the things I do in the community, being a good teammate, playing hard. All that stuff matters the most to me. Don’t get me wrong, money is amazing. But I think in that sense, money or legacy, I think my legacy will win that battle every time.”

LeBron James and Anthony Davis met up for a postgame dinner in Los Angeles following the Lakers' 112-104 win over the Pelicans.

The Pelicans were staying overnight in Los Angeles before traveling to Sacramento.

“I’d take legacy over money,” Davis told Yahoo Sports after posting game highs of 30 points and 20 rebounds to go with five assists in Friday’s loss. “I want to have a legacy. All my people that look up to me, the younger kids, I want them to know about AD’s legacy. Championships, the things I do in the community, being a good teammate, playing hard. All that stuff matters the most to me. Don’t get me wrong, money is amazing. But I think in that sense, money or legacy, I think my legacy will win that battle every time.”

If Davis declines the supermax, he will likely become a free agent in 2020, which will force the Pelicans to consider trading him.

Davis purchased a $7.5 million home in Westlake Village in Los Angeles County earlier this year.

A supermax offer will not be a factor in whether Anthony Davis' re-signs with the New Orleans Pelicans. 

The Pelicans are expected to offer Davis a five-year, $239.5 million supermax extension this summer. Davis would make an extra $87.3 million if he re-signed with the Pelicans. 

But with LeBron James' recent comments about wanting to play with Davis and the approaching February 7th trade deadline, there is growing momentum for the Lakers to attempt to make a move for the Pelicans superstar now.  

Several small market general managers have privately expressed outrage over what they believe is the NBA's unwillingness to enforce tampering rules following comments of LeBron James publicly endorsing the pursuit of Anthony Davis.

Several GMs reached out to Dell Demps of the Pelicans to express dismay over James' comments.

"It's New Orleans' problem today, and a problem with a different player tomorrow for the rest of us," one Eastern Conference GM told ESPN. "It's open season on small markets and our players."

The NBA bylaws governing players state: "Any Player who, directly or indirectly, entices, induces, persuades or attempts to entice, induce or persuade any Player, Coach, Trainer, General Manager, or any other person who is under contract to any other Member of the Association to enter into negotiations for or relating to his services shall, on being charged with such tampering, should be given an opportunity to answer to such charges after due notice and the Commissioner shall have the power to decide whether or not the charges have been sustained ..."

Demps declined to comment to ESPN on the impact of James' public endorsement of a Davis deal. 

League executives believe the NBA needs to start holding players responsible for public comments the way they do owners and management.

"If these are the rules, enforce them," one Western Conference GM told ESPN. "If you want to push Anthony Davis in L.A., if you allow LeBron to interfere with teams, then just do it. Change the rules, and say, 'It's the wild, wild west and anything goes.'

"But give us a list of the rules that you're enforcing, and give us a list of the rules that you're going to ignore."

An NBA spokesman told ESPN on Friday: "Each case is assessed on its own facts. In general, absent evidence of team coordination or other aggravating factors, it is not tampering when a player makes a comment about his interest in playing with another team's player."

Some believe the NBA is predisposed for craving the drama and storylines of free agency and trades.

"There is no confidence among most of us -- if not all of us -- that the league cares about protecting our interests," one small-market GM told ESPN. "It's hard enough already to hold onto the kind of players we need to try and win with -- but [the league] doesn't do anything to help."

LeBron James publicly talked about how he would like the Los Angeles Lakers to acquire Anthony Davis, which some believe was not by accident.

“That would be amazing,” said James about a possible trade for Davis. “That would be amazing, like, duh. That would be incredible.”

“They are just making sure that AD knows he is still in their plans and they want him,” said one rival executive. “Bron is too smart to act innocent on this one.”

Magic Johnson was fined by the NBA two summers ago on a tampering charge after making a reference to Paul George on "Jimmy Kimmel Live."

Davis is also represented by Rich Paul.