Davis Trade Unlikely, Warriors Interest Could Jeopardize Lakers, Celtics Chances

Anthony Davis’ future with the New Orleans Pelicans continues to be one of the most discussed topics in the NBA this season with many predicting that he will leave his long-time franchise sooner rather than later in order to join a team that will help him challenge for an NBA championship.

The power forward is contracted to the Pelicans until the summer of 2020 with an option for the 2021 season. He will also be eligible for a supermax deal worth $235 million next summer, which if he signs will end all talk of a potential trade.

If Davis does not sign the supermax deal which is certain to be offered to him by the Pelicans – he could be traded to the team that offers them the best deal. The Los Angeles Lakers have been heavily linked with a move for the forward, but as have the Boston Celtics, who are known to be long-time admirers.

The Lakers have been advised by many to make a move at the earliest, by offering some of their young prospects like Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball to land a player who can instantly transform their team to become title contenders.

It is also believed that if the Lakers wait until the summer, they could be trumped by the Celtics, who have more to offer the Pelicans in the way of young players with future potential and first round draft picks.

However, according to ESPN’s Zach Lowe, Davis will not ask for a trade before the end of the season at least for the moment, but that could change as the season progresses.

“Whatever is happening between Davis and the Pelicans is only a little about market size,” Lowe said, as quoted on the Express. “Davis has not yet told those close to him that he is dead set on the Lakers or any other specific team should he decide to leave, according to a source familiar with his thinking.

“He does not appear ready to demand a trade. All of that could, of course, change at any moment,” the NBA insider added.

However, Lowe has thrown a spanner into the works and revealed that the Golden State Warriors are also likely to be interested if Davis were to become available via a trade either this season or in the summer.

However, the two-time back-to-back reigning champions do not have the pieces that could entice the Pelicans into trading with them. As Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson are free agents in the summer and can’t be traded, while Stephen Curry is not going anywhere.

“The Warriors have been publicly linked to Davis before — and would surely be interested, sources say — but it’s hard to find a realistic path ahead of next season,” Lowe explained. “They aren’t trading Curry or Durant for him; Durant is a free agent anyway.”

“Draymond Green probably isn’t enticing enough as a centerpiece considering what little else the Warriors have in draft picks and young players. Klay Thompson is a free agent too, and it seems unlikely he would agree to a sign-and-trade sending him to New Orleans,” he added.