NBA Rumors: Pelicans Set Anthony Davis Trade Deadline, Lakers Offer Welcomed

The New Orleans Pelicans have begun talks with Anthony Davis and his agent Rich Paul in Los Angeles in a bid to convince him to commit his long-term future to the franchise. The power forward requested a trade earlier this year, but rather than let him leave mid-season they are waiting until the summer in order to involve more teams in the bidding war.

Pelicans’ new executive vice-president David Griffin has insisted that the team are confident about convincing Davis but the meeting is said to be taking place as leverage to show teams that it will take a big bid to sign Davis. Pelicans beat writer Andrew Lopez, according to 247 Sports, believes the trade will happen sooner rather than later.

Lopez revealed recently that the Pelicans are hoping to have a deal for Davis in place before the 2019 Draft night on June 20. The deal will not be confirmed on draft night as there are a number of teams that cannot trade until July 1, but the beat writer expects a deal to be in place before the Pelicans go on the clock to make the No.1 pick in the draft.

A move before draft night will be beneficial to the Pelicans, as they will have a clear idea about the players they are receiving as part of the trade package and they can also use the draft picks made available to them via the deal. They will be able to select the player the team needs, rather than having to settle for a player chosen by another team but added to the trade package.

The team that lands Davis will also be benefitted majorly, especially in free agency, as they will be able to use the power forward, considered among the top player in the NBA, to recruit other elite level players.

While Davis is likely to have a preferred destination when he leaves the Pelicans, the New Orleans franchise will have the final say. Griffin’s decision is expected to be based on the package that suits the team best in the post-Davis era, and the Lakers will also be considered despite the team’s ownership being against trading with the Los Angeles franchise.

Among teams chasing Davis, the Celtics are said to have the best package in terms of young players and draft picks – the Boston franchise has three first round picks at No.14, 20 and 22. The Lakers, who failed with a five-player and future draft picks trade attempt in February are expected to return again but this time they will be able to offer their No.4 pick at the 2019 Draft, making it a more enticing package.