NBA denies threatening Pelicans with fines for sitting Davis

The NBA told the New Orleans Pelicans they must play Anthony Davis barring a "proper basis" for rest, but it states that reports of potential financial ramifications were greatly exaggerated.

On Monday, league spokesperson Mike Bass refuted a report that the Pelicans would be fined $100,000 for each game Davis was able to play but didn't, according to The New York Times' Marc Stein.

The Pelicans apparently had plans to bench Davis for the remainder of the season to preserve his health before an offseason trade, sources told Stein.

However, the league implemented a rule change in 2017 which prevents teams from sitting healthy players to improve draft positioning.

"League rules governing competitive integrity therefore require that he be permitted to play," said Bass.

Pelicans general manager Dell Demps released a statement Thursday outlining Davis' eagerness to compete and said the organization wanted to "preserve the integrity of the game" by following the policy.

Davis returned to action Friday to a mixed reaction from the hometown fans following a nine-game absence.

The big man ranks second in the Association in scoring (29 points), fourth in rebounds (13.3), and second in blocks (2.56).