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Who Does Anthony Davis Want to Play For?
Anthony Davis has reportedly revealed to the Pelicans the list of teams he would re-sign a long-term deal with if he were to be traded.
February 4, 2019
Anthony Davis has reportedly revealed to the Pelicans the list of teams he would re-sign a long-term deal with if he were to be traded.
Sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @WatchStadium it's four-team list for Davis — with inclusion of the Clippers and Bucks along with previous teams (Lakers, Knicks). The Knicks are unlikely, however, after moving Kristaps Porzingis to Dallas. https://t.co/Vh3l4XJ51t
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 4, 2019
According to Stadium NBA Insider Shams Charania, the Knicks, Lakers, Bucks and Clippers are Davis’ preferred destinations in a trade. The Lakers have long been considered the favorites to land Davis, but the Pelicans don’t have to make a deal until they feel their return matches Davis’ talent level.
[RELATED: Five Potential Trades for Anthony Davis]
Davis, who informed New Orleans that he wouldn’t sign an extension on January 28 and then requested a trade, reportedly wouldn’t re-sign with the Celtics, which is a problem for New Orleans. Because of Davis’ unwillingness to sign an extension with the Celtics, Boston likely won’t offer Jayson Tatum or multiple first-round picks for a one-year rental, leaving the Pelicans in a tough spot to get a good return for their star. New Orleans can still wait to see how the draft lottery shakes out, but they’d be losing significant leverage in any offer for Davis made after the trade deadline.
The Clippers and Bucks don’t have the necessary assets to realistically acquire Davis over the Lakers, unless the Pelicans want to intentionally spite Los Angeles and sell low on Davis. New Orleans may feel Davis and Rich Paul, who is also LeBron James’ agent, created this situation in an effort to send the star to the Lakers. This feeling might raise the asking price for Los Angeles.
New Orleans can still wait until the offseason to trade Davis, but assuming the Celtics won’t part with Tatum, the only reason they’d wait would be to see where New York’s lottery pick lands. If the Knicks get the No. 1 overall pick, it’ll be hard for any team to top a trade-package centered around that.
It’s also entirely possible that a team like Toronto or Denver goes “all in” on renting Davis for the remainder of this year and next season. The Raptors and Nuggets both have young assets who have showcased star potential, but will the Pelicans view them in the same light?
The Pelicans will have to make a decision one way or another before the trade deadline hits at 3 p.m. ET on Feb. 7.
