Players like Anthony Davis are not available in trades often, so when he became available 29 other teams were trying to figure out ways to trade for him. Add the fact that AD openly preferred your team, and things become tougher – not easier. Things got tougher for Rob Pelinka and the Los Angeles Lakers because the New Orleans Pelicans, knowing Davis’s preference, could really milk the situation to maximum effect.
All of the above was happening with the fallout from Magic Johnson’s resignation. Most executives would not survive under the weight of such accusations and subsequent reports, especially after missing the playoffs with LeBron James on your team.