Alvin Gentry is sitting on a mandate to win playoff series. Winning playoff series is the most obvious way to convince Anthony Davis to stay with the New Orleans Pelicans. The first step of that process is to actually make the playoffs. Being on track to make the playoffs helps to stem the tide of Anthony Davis trade articles, even if those articles are basically merit-less, as of now.
The Pelicans played as a .500 squad last year, save for one ten game stretch of brilliance. This year, it seems every other team in the Western Conference got better while the Pelicans made even money trade offs for talent this off-season.