New Orleans fires GM; Davis day-to-day

NEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans Pelicans have decided to fire ninth-year GM Dell Demps and start the process of finding someone to deal with the fallout of All-Star Anthony Davis’ recent trade demand, said a person familiar with the situation said.

The person spoke to The AP on condition of anonymity Friday because the club had not announced the decision. Demps did not immediately return messages.

Demps’ firing comes after Davis said in late January that he would not sign an extension with New Orleans and wants to be traded to a contending team. Davis has another season remaining on his contract after this one and this season’s trade deadline has passed, meaning no trade will happen until summer.

If hired soon enough, the new general manager also would oversee the draft and decide the future of coach Alvin Gentry. Danny Ferry, a consultant for the team, has been named interim GM.

DAVIS: A person familiar with the situation says an MRI on Anthony Davis’ injured left shoulder showed a muscle bruise.

The person says Davis’ timetable for a return is day-to-day.

HALL OF FAME: Chris Webber, Bill Fitch, Marques Johnson, Sidney Moncrief, Bobby Jones, Jack Sikma, Eddie Sutton, Ben Wallace and Teresa Weatherspoon are among the 13 finalists for enshrinement later this year into the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Webber, part of Michigan’s Fab Five and a five-time NBA All-Star, was a finalist for the third consecutive season.

RISING STARS: In Charlotte, N.C., Los Angeles Lakers’ Kyle Kuzma led all scorers with 35 points on the way to MVP honors and the U.S. team defeated the World squad 161-144 in the Rising Stars game Friday.

Boston’s Jayson Tatum added 30 points for the U.S. The teams combined for 37 3-pointers and 55 dunks.

Philadelphia’s Ben Simmons led the World team with 28 points on 14 for 17 shooting. Chicago’s Lauri Markkanen had 21 points for the World squad.

CELEBRITY GAME: Also in Charlotte, N.C., comedian Famous Los scored 22 points and was selected the MVP in the Home Team’s 82-80 victory over the Visiting Team on Friday night in the highestscoring NBA All-Star Celebrity Game.

Quavo, part of the hip-hop trio Migos, scored 27 points for the Visiting Team.