NBA notebook: Celtics, Irving have 'engagement,' Ainge says

"The way I viewed the situation is that I think a lot of people, because of
Kyrie's announcement at the beginning of the year, thought that it was a
marriage," Ainge said on Boston radio, referring to Irving's public
proclamation last fall that he'd stay with the Celtics instead of pursuing
free agency.

"And I think that it's more like an engagement. And we're going to get married
on July 1st," Ainge said, referring to the official start of NBA free agency
in 2019.

Just last week, Irving, who can opt out of his contract after the season to
test free agency, did not sound so sure of the commitment, saying he is going
to do "what's best for my career. ... Ask me July 1st."

--LeBron James, in his first season with the Los Angeles Lakers, said he knows
the reason for the flurry of trades at the NBA trading deadline, especially
among Eastern Conference teams. It's him.

James spent his first 15 seasons in the East -- in Cleveland, Miami, then
Cleveland again -- and his teams have appeared in 13 consecutive postseasons,
including eight straight NBA Finals. The Heat won two titles, the Cavaliers
one.

"Those top teams in the East, yeah, they're going for it," James told The
Athletic. "They know they ain't gotta go through Cleveland anymore. Everybody
in the East thinks they can get to the Finals because they ain't gotta go
through me."

--Los Angeles Lakers president Magic Johnson reportedly will hold a meeting
with players after a failed attempt at trading many of them for New Orleans
star Anthony Davis.

The meeting will be held this weekend in Philadelphia, the Los Angeles Times
reported, citing two unnamed sources.

Johnson reportedly will stress that the pursuit of Davis was typical NBA
business and that the Lakers' goal is win championships.

--The New Orleans Pelicans held All-Star Anthony Davis out of action before
the trade deadline, guarding against injury to their biggest star in case they
worked out a deal to trade him, as he'd requested.

A trade did not materialize, and the Pelicans announced Thursday that Davis
would re-enter the lineup. But ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski tweeted Friday that
Davis won't be on the court as much as usual.

Wojnarowski said the Pelicans will reduce Davis' playing time from his average
of 37 minutes, and he might not play on back-to-back nights. Davis, who turns
26 next month, is averaging 29.3 points, 13.3 rebounds and 4.4 assists per
game.

--For the first time in his NBA career, the uniform Marc Gasol puts on for his
next game will not be the threads of the Memphis Grizzlies. Gasol, informed in
January he was on the trading block, was shipped to Toronto at the trade
deadline on Thursday.

Grizzlies controlling owner Robert Pera issued a statement to thank Gasol for
his 11 years of professionalism in Memphis, accompanied by a video on the
team's Twitter feed. The statement said Gasol's jersey will be displayed at
FedExForum.

"Marc ... plays with a heart and a passion for the game that helped carry this
franchise to seven straight playoff appearances, but what Marc has done for
this organization is about more than just basketball. He was a part of a core
group of players that helped shape the identity of this franchise on and off
the court and were embraced by the City of Memphis," the statement said.

--The Detroit Pistons are close to signing free-agent guard Wayne Ellington,
multiple outlets reported. According to Yahoo Sports, Detroit will waive
forward Henry Ellenson to make room on the roster.

Ellington was bought out by the Phoenix Suns on Thursday after being traded to
Phoenix by the Miami Heat in a deal that also sent Tyler Johnson to the Suns
for Ryan Anderson.

--Markieff Morris' stay in New Orleans did not last long. The Pelicans
announced that they waived Morris, one day after acquiring the 29-year-old
forward from the Washington Wizards.

New Orleans traded forward Wesley Johnson to the Wizards prior to Thursday's
trading deadline for Morris and a 2023 second-round draft choice.

--Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love returned from a toe injury to play
against the Washington Wizards.

It was Love's first action since Oct. 24, when he was shut down due to pain in
his left foot the led to surgery in early November. He initially injured the
toe during the preseason.

--The Philadelphia 76ers unveiled a statue of the late Moses Malone, hours
before they were scheduled to retire Malone's No. 2 at halftime of their game
against the Denver Nuggets.

Malone becomes the seventh player featured on the 76ers' Legends Walk, outside
the team's training facility in Camden, N.J., joining Julius Erving, Wilt
Chamberlain, Hal Greer, Billy Cunningham, Maurice Cheeks and Bobby Jones.
Erving's sculpture was the sixth to go up last April.

Malone died of heart disease in September 2015 at age 60.

--Field Level Media