Anthony Davis Trade Rumors: Young Lakers Star Wanted By Pelicans Coach

It is now almost certain that Anthony Davis will be traded by the New Orleans Pelicans in the summer with multiple reports indicating that the power forward’s stance about wanting to leave the franchise has not changed despite meeting with the team’s new executive vice-president David Griffin. He requested a trade in January and intends to stick to his decision despite the Pelicans landing the No.1 pick at the 2019 NBA Draft.

There will be no shortage of suitors for Davis when the offseason gets underway with numerous teams considering moving assets to sign the power forward. The Lakers made multiple attempts to sign Davis in February before the trade deadline but their attempts were rebuffed by the Pelicans, but they are expected to return again in the summer.

The Lakers offered five players and future draft picks in February but their new offer could include their No. 4 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft along with their young core of Kyle Kuzma, Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram. According to Pelicans beat writer Andrew Lopez of the Times-Picayune, Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry likes the idea of a Ball-Jrue Holiday backcourt, which could see the Lakers come back in the mix in the summer.

It was believed that the Lakers had fallen down the pecking order as the Pelicans owners were not keen to deal with the Los Angeles franchise. But Griffin is expected to consider any offer that will benefit the team including the Lakers and Gentry’s interest in Ball could even give them an advantage.

Lopez still puts the Boston Celtics as the favorites to land the forward as they possess the best assets in terms of young players and also have three first round draft picks in 2019. But Celtics’ move for Davis could be connected to Kyrie Irving’s decision when he enters free agency later in July.

"It's probably Boston first, and then I'd put the Lakers second. The Lakers do have good assets that people in the Pelicans organization value. For instance, Alvin Gentry loves the idea of having a Lonzo Ball-Jrue Holiday backcourt. LaVar Ball (Lonzo's father) does not love the idea of having a Lonzo Ball-Jrue Holiday backcourt. That makes things a little bit complicated,” Lopez said during an appearance on ESPNLA 710.

Lopez also revealed recently that the Pelicans are keen to get a deal in place for Davis before the 2019 NBA Draft on June 20. Even if the deal is not consummated, on the night of the draft they want a deal in place so they can use the draft picks acquired through the trade.