Anthony Davis Trade: Celtics, Pelicans Make Contact, Discuss Multiple Trade Packages

There is just under 10 hours remaining until the trade deadline and the Los Angeles Lakers are still struggling to get the Anthony Davis trade over the line and many believe they have all but lost hope with the New Orleans Pelicans deciding to wait until the summer to make their decision regarding the power forward’s next destination.

Davis is said to be willing to play for his current employers until the end of the campaign despite requesting a trade and will accept the decision they make probably once the draft lottery concludes in May.

The Pelicans’ decision to hold off on the trade and not respond to the Lakers’ mammoth offer of five players and draft picks will come as music to the Boston Celtics’ ears as they were hoping they are still in with a chance to sign the in-demand forward come the summer.

The Celtics cannot get in on the act now as they are not allowed to have two players on designated rookie extensions and currently Kyrie Irving is on one. They can only trade for Davis when the point guard opts out of his deal and becomes a free agent on July 1.

Davis has been a long-term target for the Celtics and they have stockpiled assets in the event that he became available before he enters free agency in 2020. They have the best to offer in terms of young talent and draft picks, and that’s one of the reasons the Lakers were desperate to get the deal done in February rather than wait until the summer.

According to Boston Globe’ Adam Himmelsbach, the Celtics and Pelicans have already touched base on potential trade packages. The latter is said to want the Boston franchise to make certain promises on the packages on offer, but they are said to be cautious as it is difficult to predict what can transpire in five months.

But the Celtics are said to have made it clear to the Pelicans they will offer an “explosive package” when they do make an offer and guaranteed them that no player will be off limits. The one concern for the Boston team will be constant reports that they are not among Davis’ preferred destinations and that the forward will not commit long-term even if he does land up with the Celtics.

The Celtics hierarchy, however, are said to be convinced that once Davis teams up with Irving, both the players will not have any concern about committing their long-term futures to the most successful team in NBA history.

Meanwhile, Fox Sports’ Chris Broussard also remains certain that the Lakers will not acquire Davis before the trade deadline as he feels the Pelicans will not want to make a deal before hearing what the Celtics and the Knicks have to offer. Moreover, he feels any deal involving Jayson Tatum from the Celtics will trump anything the Los Angeles franchise can put forward.