Anthony Davis
Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans watches the action against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, Feb. 22, 2019. Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Anthony Davis is certain to be the most coveted player on the NBA trade market this summer after the player requested a move from the New Orleans Pelicans earlier in the year. The Pelicans will have the final say with regards to his next destination but the Boston Celtics is said to be among teams with the best assets to make a trade offer.

The Los Angeles Lakers tried to sign Davis in February but the team’s offer of multiple players and future draft picks was rejected by the Pelicans in the hope of more teams entering the fray, mainly, the Celtics. Danny Ainge’s team is said to be preparing an offer and will begin talks in the coming months about signing the power forward.

According to Sporting News’ Sean Deveney, the Celtics could have the best offer on the table, which includes three first round picks in this year’s NBA Draft – No. 14, 20 and 22 – and Jayson Tatum, who is one of the most highly rated players in the league at the moment. The Boston franchise also has a few other picks available but there are some contingencies in play for that to become valid.

Tatum and a raft of first round draft picks is certain to entice the Pelicans, while the Celtics could also consider parting with Jaylen Brown, either as part of the deal or as a replacement for Tatum.

However, if Kyrie Irving, the current star of the team, decides to leave the Celtics it could change Ainge’s mind and he is unlikely to allow Tatum or Brown to depart TD Garden. The point guard will become a free agent in the summer and has yet to re-confirm if his plans of re-singing with the Celtics still holds true.

Additionally, there is another possibility that could hamper the Celtics’ chances of landing Davis in the summer. The Pelicans is said to be open to trading Davis to the team that possesses the top pick in the 2019 NBA Draft lottery.

Zion Williamson, a predicted generational talent, is on the draft roster this season, and the Pelicans is said to be willing to trade Davis to get a shot at the country’s top prospect. If the New Orleans franchise decides against a move for the young forward, then the Celtics do have the best package around.

The Lakers will also certainly make another play for Davis, especially since he is managed by the same agency that handles LeBron James. Apart from the two franchises, the Philadelphia 76ers, New York Knicks and Los Angeles Clippers are said to be the other contenders for Davis.

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