Anthony Davis To Join Celtics, Lakers? Pierce Says Could Happen This Year

Anthony Davis’ future at the New Orleans Pelicans is the latest topic of discussion in the NBA off-season that has seen LeBron James join the Los Angeles Lakers, Kawhi Leonard traded to the Toronto Raptors and speculation rife that Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving will be on the move next summer.

Former Boston Celtics star Paul Pierce is certain Davis will be the next big move in the NBA and is certain it will happen before the trade deadline – Feb. 7, 2019 – if the Pelicans are not in playoff contention.

Recent reports suggested the Pelicans center had split with long-time agent Thad Foucher and that James’ agent Rich Paul was the favorite to take over the reins to manage the five-time All-Star. That led to speculation that he could be ready to make a major move and join one of the big teams in the league.

Davis still has two years and $52 million left on his deal with the Pelicans, plus a $29 million player option for the 2020-21 season. But the forward is now also eligible for a super max extension.

Pierce, however, is of the opinion that the Pelicans will look to trade Davis if they are not in contention for the playoffs later in the year. The former Celtics star is almost certain he will not be a Pelicans player by the time the All-Star weekend comes around in February next year if his team are not performing well.

The Celtics have been long-time admirers of Davis and could make a move for him, while the Lakers are looking to add star quality to the team to join James and get them back to winning ways. And Pierce believes the Pelicans could also be open to it as they will want the best deal possible when the player is in demand.

“If New Orleans doesn’t play well this year, they’re going to try and broker a trade to get him to Los Angeles,” Pierce said on “The Jump” on Tuesday.

“What better guy to do that than Rich Paul? He pretty much controls the market. Guys are running left and right to be represented by him. …. This is classic… I think there are some things in the NBA we don’t know about. Something’s brewing,” he explained.

“If things don’t go well in New Orleans this year and they’re hovering around 500 or not looking like a playoff team, Boston’s going to make a run at him or the Lakers.

“I guarantee you that. He will not be in New Orleans by the end of the year. If they’re not playing well he will not make it to All-Star weekend,” the 2008 NBA champion said.

ESPN’s Jorge Sedano, who was on the show with Pierce, agreed with the former Celtics small forward that Davis does need to move from the Pelicans to cement his legacy. He believes Davis is the final piece of the puzzle for either Celtics or the Lakers for them to knock off the Golden State Warriors from their perch.