Anthony Davis Trade Rumors: Clippers, Bucks, Knicks Join Star's Wish-List, Lakers Increase Offer

Anthony Davis New Orleans Pelicans — Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans smiles during a 121-117 win over the LA Clippers at Staples Center on January 14, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. Harry How/Getty Images

A lot has been made about Anthony Davis wanting to be traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, and there were even rumors that the superstar would let it be known he only planned to sign with L.A. as a free agent in the summer of 2020. That hasn’t turned out to be the case with Davis indicating he’d be open to signing a new contract with a few other teams in the league.

The Lakers, New York Knicks, Los Angeles Clippers and Milwaukee Bucks are on Davis’ wish-list, according to multiple reports. Davis continues to make it clear that he doesn’t plan on re-signing with the Boston Celtics if the team acquires him this summer.

The new information appears to be part of a push by Davis’ camp to get the big man dealt before Thursday’s 2019 NBA trade deadline. If the New Orleans Pelicans don’t agree to send Davis elsewhere within the next few days, the 25-year-old will be stuck with his current team until July.

Anthony Davis’ representatives have informed the Pelicans that he would sign long-term with the Lakers, Knicks, Bucks and Clippers if he is traded, league sources tell @TheAthleticNBA.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 4, 2019

The Los Angeles Clippers and Milwaukee Bucks are among the teams on the new extended Davis list, league sources said. Still, Clippers are another team holding onto cap space and assets for summer free agency. So far, Clippers haven't made an offer on Davis, sources said.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 4, 2019

Lakers president Magic Johnson and Pelicans GM Dell Demps have had multiple conversations today, league sources tell ESPN. There's no sense how much progress sides have made progress toward a possible trade, but the Lakers have absolutely gotten more serious in the discussions. https://t.co/R84Aetv9n3
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 4, 2019

New Orleans is almost certain to trade Davis at some point, though a deal might be more likely to occur this offseason. That’s when Boston can sign Kyrie Irving to a new contract and become bidders for Davis.

The threat of Davis leaving Boston in 2020 isn’t expected to stop the Celtics’ pursuit of the six-time All-Star. They believe trading for Davis would allow them to keep both him and Irving for the long term.

If the Lakers don’t trade for Davis this summer, they are unlikely to have cap space to offer him a max contract in 2020. The same goes for the Knicks, though the team could present the Pelicans with a compelling offer this offseason if they win the draft lottery.

Milwaukee almost certainly can’t make New Orleans a compelling offer before the trade deadline. Their best players aside from Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is untradeable, are unsigned after this season.

The Clippers are expected to try and use their cap space on max free agents this offseason. They probably can’t match the Lakers’ offer before the trade deadline.