Anthony Davis To Celtics Trade Not Possible Unless Kyrie Irving Is Included

Any potential Boston Celtics trade for New Orleans Pelicans star Anthony Davis won't be happening this season unless Kyrie Irving is included in the package as well.

Ever since Davis changed agencies in the fall to join Klutch Sports, who notably represent LeBron James, rumors and speculation about his future have gone into overdrive.

With two years and $52 million left on his Pelicans deal along with a $29 million player option for the 2020/21 NBA season, the 25-year-old won't be acquired in free agency though, but the belief is he could ask for a trade depending on how New Orleans is performing when it comes to the playoff picture early next year.

The Celtics are a team that have regularly been linked with Davis, and given their struggles this season with a current 10-10 record, they could certainly use his services even more now. While the likes of the Los Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks are also reported preferences for Davis, Boston is said to notably be the "ultimate long-term landing zone" for him.

However, there is one complication when it comes to a trade and that's the Rose Rule -- which allows players finishing their rookie contracts to sign for a higher percentage, 30 percent, of their team’s total salary cap if they hit certain thresholds.

Davis re-signed with the Pelicans in 2015 using the Rose Rule, while Irving's current deal which expires next year was signed in 2014 using the rule as well, and a team cannot have two players under it. That means unless the Celtics offer Irving in a potential trade for Davis, they will not be acquiring him this season at least.

“This summer, after you re-sign Kyrie long-term, then you can entertain all the AD notions all you want," NBCS Boston’s Chris Forsberg said recently. "But unless you're putting Kyrie in that trade to get Anthony Davis, it cannot happen this year.”

Luckily for Boston fans, they can still see Irving and Davis play together next season. Irving already revealed he plans on re-signing with the Celtics and Boston certainly have the assets to entice New Orleans into a trade.

However, that also leaves them at risk of missing out on the Chicago native this season, especially with the Lakers continuing their search of a second star to complement James.

Former NBA player Jarrett Jack revealed earlier this month that Davis was heading to Los Angeles along with Kevin Durant next year. And while the Lakers don't have the same assets as Boston, they could certainly entice New Orleans by potentially trading two or three of their young prospects in Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma or Brandon Ingram, as well as some draft picks.

Davis is currently averaging 27.0 points, 12.6 rebounds, 2.7 blocks and 4.9 assists per game over the 16 games he has played this season for the Pelicans (10-10). He was notably a finalist for the MVP and Defensive Player of the Year award last season.