Anthony Davis, LeBron James Partnership At Lakers 'Has To Happen', Garnett Says

Anthony Davis’ future with the New Orleans Pelicans continues to be the most constantly discussed topics in the NBA at the moment with almost every one – former players and NBA experts – sharing an opinion on what the power forward’s next move should be.

Davis is contracted to the Pelicans until the summer of 2020 and is eligible for a supermax contract worth around $235 million in 2019. The forward’s current employers are certain to make an offer after making it clear they would not trade him this season.

It remains to be seen if the forward will accept the offer despite stating his love for the team and the fans of the franchise. If Davis decides not to accept the offer on the table, it would leave the Pelicans no choice but to accept a trade as they would not want to lose him for free in 2020.

Davis is probably the most sought-after player in the NBA at the moment and it is likely to take a mega offer to land the power forward. The Los Angeles Lakers are said to be leading the charge, while the Boston Celtics are known to be long-time admirers.

The Lakers can offer a number of young prospects in return for Davis, but when it comes to the trade, it was being suggested the Celtics have the most power owing to a packed roster of young talent and the four first round draft picks in their possession.

Kevin Garnett, the 2008 NBA championship winner with the Celtics, is the latest person to offer advise to Davis and he urged the forward to leave the Pelicans and join a team that could challenge for the title at the earliest. The Lakers are not there at the moment, but the former Minnesota Timberwolves star believed Davis would be a great fit alongside LeBron James in Los Angeles and his arrival was certain to make them contenders immediately.

"I told Anthony Davis this to his face," Garnett told USA TODAY Sports. "'You are not playing against the guys you are squaring up against every night. You are playing against history, man.'

"Anthony Davis playing in New Orleans, I don’t want to say they are wasted days, but they are non-days. He needs to be somewhere where he can be with another guy and they can have a run at a championship. He has been in New Orleans long enough. It is time for a change now. This is it. No better time to do this."

“Davis with LeBron James — he goes to another level and that’s scary,” he added. “That’s why he needs to go to a team where he has a chance to hoist the trophy or at least have a chance at going in that direction. He doesn’t have that. Great players need to be with other great players. He is still 'the guy' when LeBron is there. They are both 'the guy.' That’s why you bring your superpowers together."

Garnett was in a similar situation to Davis when he was traded at his peak by the Timberwolves to the Celtics in 2007. He went on to form a super team in Boston alongside Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo to win the NBA title in 2008.

He is certain that Davis’ arrival in Los Angeles will threaten the recent supremacy of the Golden State Warriors, who have won three of the last four NBA championships and are favorite to make it three in a row.

"Absolutely they can challenge Golden State," Garnett said. "You can’t leave Davis open. He is not just a one-way player — he can cover the basket, he can guard you, he can stay with you, he is long enough to make you take tough shots, he can block shots, he is going to dictate the game in so many ways it is going to be ridiculous.

"Then LeBron will be doing everything he does. How do you stop it? Everything is there for Anthony Davis. If he goes to L.A., he can have a six- or seven-year run that would be amazing. This is his time. It has to happen."