Anthony Davis has acknowledged that his relationship with New Orleans Pelicans fans may never fully recover, admitting he is still viewed as a villain years after his departure.
The Lakers star spent seven seasons in New Orleans before forcing a move to Los Angeles, a decision that ultimately led to an NBA championship but also left a lasting impression on the Pelicans fanbase.
That tension has remained visible every time he returns to the city. For Davis, that reaction is something he has come to accept. Even if he believes his reasons were justified.
Anthony Davis says his desire to win made him a villain in New Orleans
Davis reflected on his time with the Pelicans in a conversation shared via the Draymond Green Show, where he addressed how he is still received by fans.
The context goes back to his trade request, which marked a turning point in how he was viewed in New Orleans.
He said, “So, now because I want to win, I’m considered a villain to this team and to this fanbase, to this day, I go back and they still boo me [in New Orleans].”
The comment highlights how that decision continues to shape his relationship with the franchise and its supporters.
Anthony Davis says the lack of a Pelicans tribute closed the door on his future return
Davis also pointed to a specific moment that, in his view, ended any possibility of repairing that relationship.
Davis added, “When I went back, I did not get a tribute, and that was the final straw. Never got a tribute. …I told (Gayle) Benson right before the deadline when I was asking for a trade… I told her, ‘This might not be the end, though.
“‘Later on in my career, who knows if I was to come back and we try to do something special as I’m older.’ When I went back that first game and got no tribute, I said, ‘Oh, that door is closed.’”
The admission shows how that experience shifted his perspective, turning what might have been a temporary separation into a permanent break.
For Davis, the chapter in New Orleans appears firmly closed, both on and off the court.
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