Southwest Notes: Davis, Mavericks, T. Jones, Parsons

After beating the Lakers on Saturday, Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry made an effort not to increase tensions between the two franchises over Anthony Davis, writes Kyle Goon of The Orange County Register. Gentry accused L.A. of “tampering” in December regarding its pursuit of Davis, singling out a comment from LeBron James that it would be “amazing” to have Davis as a teammate. Gentry walked back that statement last night.

“He was asked a question and he answered it,” Gentry said. “If you asked anybody in the league that, they would feel the same way. I think we’re making more out of that than what it is. The bottom line is all of that’s been out there in public. There’s no reason to go into it in any detail.”

Davis sat out Saturday’s contest, but Gentry said it had nothing to do with the Lakers and is part of an organizational decision not to use the star center in back-to-back games. The Pelicans want to preserve Davis’ health in anticipation of a trade this summer.

There’s more from the Southwest Division:

  • The Mavericks are facing “big decisions” this offseason about the future of the team, coach Rick Carlisle tells Brad Townsend of The Dallas Morning News. Star rookie Luka Doncic and newly acquired Kristaps Porzingis will be part of the foundation, and Carlisle plans to use the rest of the regular season to evaluate the rest of the roster. “It’s a hard schedule, and we’re a little depleted because K.P.’s not playing yet and we certainly want to do some things this summer,” Carlisle said. “But the guys that we have, we’ve got to find out what they’re all about.”
  • Terrence Jones resumed his career with the Rockets in the same place it ended in 2016, at Oracle Arena in Oakland, notes Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle. A first-round draft pick by Houston in 2012, Jones rejoined the team Friday on a 10-day contract after averaging 23.5 PPG in the G League this season. “It feels great, like the ultimate second opportunity,” Jones said. “I’m just happy to be here. To be back (with the Rockets) means a lot because I already felt a part of this family, this organization and they welcomed me back with open arms. Everybody has shown me they’re happy to see me so it’s all around love.”
  • The Grizzlies don’t have anything to gain by playing Chandler Parsons, writes Mark Giannotto of The Memphis Commercial Appeal, who claims that Parsons forced himself back into the lineup in hopes of getting another contract.
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