Trading is heavy in the East at deadline

Pelicans’ Davis stays put and will play, but contenders are very active

A busy trade season that included Dallas’ acquisition of Kristaps Porzingis from New York ended without a move for Anthony Davis, the player who dominated the discussion in recent weeks.

The New Orleans Pelicans didn’t find a deal for Davis, who had requested a trade and informed the team he wouldn’t sign a contract extension this summer.

The Lakers couldn’t put together a strong enough package to the Pelicans’ liking for the All-Star forward, who will go back into the

trade market after the season ends.

“Ultimately, Anthony made it clear to us that he wants to play and he gives our team the best opportunity to win games. Moreover, the Pelicans want to preserve the integrity of the game and align our organization with NBA policies,” the Pelicans said Thursday night.

“We believe Anthony playing upholds the values that are in the best interest of the NBA and its fans. We look forward to seeing Anthony in a Pelicans uniform again soon.”

There will be other marquee names available in the summer with a free agent class that could be highlighted by players such as Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and Kawhi Leonard.

While New Orleans held onto Davis, it did deal Nikola Mirotic to the Bucks, one of the Eastern Conference contenders who fortified their teams Thursday before the trade deadline expired.

Milwaukee (40-13) already has the NBA’s best record and Mirotic’s outside-shooting ability for a big man would appear to fit perfectly in a lineup around superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Two games back of the Bucks, the Raptors sent center Jonas Valanciunias to Memphis to acquire Marc Gasol.

Valanciunas had been coming off the bench and Toronto coach Nick Nurse will have to decide whether he uses Gasol in the same manner, or returns to a traditional bigger lineup with the former defensive player of the year in the middle.

Trading Gasol at least got Memphis something out of a 34-year-old center who holds a $25 million option he can exercise this summer.

Former No. 1 overall pick Markelle Fultz has a new home, going from the Philadelphia 76ers to the Orlando Magic.

Fultz is getting moved for Jonathan Simmons, as well as a 2020 first-round pick that Philadelphia used to own but was conveyed in other deals. The 76ers also get a second-round pick.

The Clippers have acquired forward JaMychal Green and guard Garrett Temple from Memphis in exchange for guard Avery Bradley.

Lawrence Frank, the Clippers’ president of basketball operations, said Green is a “high-energy big who has become an excellent outside shooter.” He said Temple is a versatile defender.

Green averaged 9.8 points and 5.1 rebounds in 41 games for Memphis this season. The 28-year-old forward has been shooting 48 percent from the field and 40 percent from 3-point range.

Things were quieter in the West. The Clippers hold the eighth and final playoff spot but appear willing to give it up in favor of positioning themselves for the summer, with their moves designed to help them pursue top free agents in July.

The Sacramento Kings acquired forward Caleb Swanigan from the Portland Trail Blazers for forward Skal Labissiere in a trade of former first-round picks.

Teams can still bolster their squads by adding players who are free agents. Players on rosters must be waived by March 1 in order to sign with another team and be eligible to appear in the postseason.