Los Angeles Lakers have informed the New Orleans Pelicans that they are pulling out of trade talks for NBA star Anthony Davis, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Team president of basketball operations Magic Johnson told New Orleans general manager Dell Demps that the Lakers had made their best offer, the Times reported, citing a source.
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According to Times sources, the Lakers had modified their offer to the Pelicans, and were willing to trade Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Ivica Zubac to the Pelicans.
In addition, they had agreed to part with two first-round draft picks, and to take Solomon Hill and his $US12.7 million (NZ$18.4m) contract along with Davis.
"They wanted more and more and more," a source told the Times. "There was no more to give.
"They had cap-relief with Hill being in the deal, but the more they wanted, the more it became outrageous and unrealistic."
Both the Times and ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Pelicans were asking for eight draft picks.
Wojnarowski identified those as four first-round and four second-round picks.
But Wojnarowski cautioned that Johnson would listen, if New Orleans come back with a counter offer.
In 41 games this season, Davis has averaged 29.3 points, 13.3 rebounds and 4.4 assists.
In addition to the Lakers, ESPN reported Davis would also entertain signing a contract extension with the Los Angeles Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks and New York Knicks.
Last week, Davis' agent said the perennial All-Star would not re-sign with New Orleans and requested a trade.
Davis is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent in July 2020, so the Pelicans do not need to rush into a trade.
In the meantime, the 25-year-old Davis has recovered from a finger injury, but the Pelicans front office reportedly ordered him to sit out, as rumours swirled before Thursday's (local time) trade deadline.
New Orleans are scheduled to play on Wednesday in Chicago.
On Friday, in his first public comments since demanding a trade, Davis said it was "time to move on".
On Monday, Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry told media that Davis had been given the OK to practice, but that activating him wasn't his call to make.
Reuters
