In a week of constant news about Anthony Davis’ future plans, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski has reported that the Pelicans superstar has indicated a “handful of teams” he’d be interesting in signing with long-term after being traded. The Boston Celtics were not on the list.
Can you believe it’s only been a week since Anthony Davis formally requested a trade from the New Orleans Pelicans? Since then we’ve seen rumors, trade destinations, and statements from Anthony Davis Sr. himself. The prevailing sentiment? Davis isn’t going to re-sign with the Boston Celtics if traded.
A recent report from Adrian Wojnarowski further confirms Davis’ current mindset:
Beyond the Lakers and Knicks, the Pelicans have been made aware of "a handful" of teams that Anthony Davis would be willing to sign long-term with upon a trade, league sources tell ESPN. Boston isn't included on that list.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 4, 2019
This is a shift from earlier reports that Davis was only interested in signing long-term with the Los Angeles Lakers, informing the other 28 NBA teams that a trade would likely be purely a one-year rental for the forward.
The Lakers, Knicks, and Celtics have been at the forefront of the Davis sweepstakes, as all three teams have a high market share, tradeable assets, and (in the Knicks case, potential) superstars for Davis to team up with. The Pelicans have indicated little interest in what New York has to offer, though.
The Athletic’s Shams Charania later reported that the new list adds the Los Angeles Clippers and the Milwaukee Bucks into the conversation:
Anthony Davis’ representatives have informed the Pelicans that he would sign long-term with the Lakers, Knicks, Bucks and Clippers if he is traded, league sources tell @TheAthleticNBA.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 4, 2019
While no concrete trade offers have been reported from these new teams, what matters is that Boston is still yet to be on his radar. While the Celtics cannot trade for Davis prior to the trade deadline due to the Rose rule, it doesn’t bode well for their chances of acquiring him this offseason if he maintains that stance.
Of course, this is only Davis’ mindset right now, and there’s a long time before July 1st is upon us and the Celtics are able to make official offers. Wojnarowski continued his report with this:
This could help open up marketplace on a trade for Davis between now and Thursday 3 p.m. deadline, creating stronger offers to Pels. No matter destination, Davis has no plans to sign extension this summer. The plan is signing a new deal in July of 2020, once he opts out. https://t.co/RWqXzaV4va
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 4, 2019
If a market picks up this week for Davis, with multiple teams in the ring that not only think they can obtain AD but re-sign him in 2020, the Celtics may be out of the race before they were even able to enter it.
As it sits, the Lakers seem to be getting closer to a deal with the Pelicans, with three days before February 7th’s 3 p.m. trade deadline.
The Lakers have offered a new package to New Orleans that includes multiple young players, multiple draft picks and Pelicans salary cap relief for Anthony Davis, league sources tell ESPN. The offer appears to move closer to the objectives that the Pelicans are pursuing in a deal.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 4, 2019
But, on the positive side of things, this report does confirm some good news for Boston: Davis isn’t going to make up his mind anytime soon. The Celtics have four months to prove they’re a destination that he can thrive in long-term – a deep playoff run and retaining Kyrie Irving would surely be convincing.
While it’s not a great look for the Boston Celtics, the gameplan shouldn’t change too much in wake of this news. They still have some of the best assets to offer New Orleans, and they’ll have time to prove Davis that Boston is the best destination for him to play his prime in – as long as he isn’t traded before the deadline.