Anthony Davis Rumors: Celtics Can Beat Lakers' 3-Player Trade Package

Anthony Davis is contracted to the New Orleans Pelicans until the end of the 2020 season and has a player option for the 2020-21 campaign. But he reportedly can buy himself out of his current deal in 2019.

Moreover, he will become eligible for a supermax contract next summer and the Pelicans are certain to offer him the $200 million+ deal in the hope that Davis, arguably one of the hottest properties in NBA at the moment, signs it.

However, there is a feeling among many NBA insiders and former player-turned-experts that Davis is looking to move away and they are certain that if he asks for a trade, it is likely to be the biggest in NBA history.

The Los Angeles Lakers are known admirers of the power forward and are said to be willing to include three of their young prospects in a potential trade to land Davis before the end of this season.

But according to NBA expert Marc Stein, the Davis saga is likely to go on until next summer before an outcome is reached. He also believes the Boston Celtics, who are also keen to sign Davis, are leading the chase as they can put together a better trade package.

Jayson Tatum is one of the most highly regarded forwards in the NBA at the moment and at 20 years old, he is just at the beginning of his career. He showed his true potential during the Celtics' run to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2018 and has started this season brightly as well.

“The Davis thing more likely than not doesn’t play out until July,” Stein told the Bill Simmons Podcast, as transcribed by the Express. "The Pelicans make him the offer, and look, we’ve seen guys not take that supermax, so maybe he says ‘I’m not taking it, I’m ready to move on’.”

“If Davis is going to be traded, you’re going to have doc one up with an amazing offer to beat what Boston can put on the table. In the summertime, it’s easier to do that and then it becomes a sweepstake. If you have to sacrifice Tatum to get Anthony Davis, I think you do that. With apologies to the Celtics nation. Tatum is great, but Anthony Davis is [sic],” he explained.

Stein, however, believes the only way Davis leaves the Pelicans this season is if he forces the move. It was recently reported that he is unhappy with the situation in New Orleans, but is keen for the team bosses to fix the issues as he wants to win with them rather than with another franchise.

And the NBA expert feels Davis is not the type of player who will ruin the relationship he has built with the city and the fans by demanding a move before the February trade deadline. He may even accept the new supermax that is likely to be on offer in the summer.

“To me, the only way you could even pretend to propose that New Orleans moves him this season is if Davis tries to force it,” Stein added. “And yes, he has a new agent, a very influential agent who can get things done, but still that’s gotta come from Anthony Davis. He would have to want to go now. He genuinely loves New Orleans and has a great relationship with that city."

“Does he really want to be the bad guy who forces his way out in February? I don’t believe it. You’re going to have to trade for Davis to get him. New Orleans is going to offer him the $200million plus extension,” he said. “If he doesn’t take it, they’re going to have to trade him. So don’t you want to save your trade chips for that trade?”