NBA: Boston Celtics Pitch To Prevent Anthony Davis Trade

Boston is a potential landing spot for Anthony Davis, but the most they would get is a one-year deal. Regardless, Celtics president Danny Ainge has opened talks with the New Orleans Pelicans and is open to discussing a potential deal involving anyone on the Celtics roster.

According to Brian Windhorst of ESPN, the Celtics have reached out to the Pelicans that they are willing to sit down and talk about the deal. But the catch here is that any potential deal may only happen after the season.

The future of Kyrie Irving remains on thin ice, but the tone of the report hints at the Celtics possibly parting with stars like Jayson Tatum. However, it would be best to note that Boston said that they were willing to discuss first, meaning it could be anyone currently in the lineup.

According to Yahoo Sports, the move by the Celtics may be nothing more than a ploy to prevent a blockbuster NBA trade that would see Davis end up with the Los Angeles Lakers. The NBA All-Star center is focused on joining the Lakers, the only team where he is interested in signing a long-term pact. "The Brow" is also open to joining other teams but only on a short-term lease, NBC Sports reported.

Davis' preference of joining the Lakers has drawn criticism from the basketball world. In a previous post, Charles Barkley had called on NBA Commissioner Adam Silver to step in and prevent the 25-year-old big man from joining the Lakers.

The latest on the Anthony Davis drama is that the Pelicans are reportedly not interested in the Lakers' initial offer. Per another report by ESPN, the Lakers' offer includes Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, Brandon Ingram and Josh Hart, plus a couple of first-round picks. It remains to be seen what Lakers team president Earvin Magic Johnson and general manager Rob Pelinka will try to come up with next.

The move of the Celtics is seen as more like a ploy to delay any decision by the Pelicans on Davis. From the looks of it, other teams may follow and try to discuss a potential trade with Dell Demps. As it is turning out, the immediate battle cry for most NBA teams is preventing Davis from joining the Los Angeles Lakers. Expect another team to make a pitch to the Pelicans soon.