Come hell or high water, Anthony Davis is going to end up in Los Angeles playing for the Lakers with LeBron James.
That’s certainly how it appears anyway as, the day after publicly requesting a trade via his agent, word has leaked out that Davis’ preferred destination is the Lakers and “he’ll become a rental player until 2020 with a trade anywhere else,” according to multiple ESPN sources.
The All-Star forward’s current team, the New Orleans Pelicans, said they will engage in trade discussions “on our terms and our deadline.”
Davis can become a free agent in the summer of 2020 and sign with the Lakers. But, in the interest of getting him to LA as soon as possible, the team could offer the Pelicans a package of picks and young players including Kyle Kuzma, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, and Lonzo Ball.
The Boston Celtics have also shown interest in Davis but, due to minutiae in the collective bargaining agreement, cannot trade for him until this summer unless they want to trade All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving.
That seems unlikely so Boston’s best chance to land Davis would be to take a run at him over the summer – and risk that he leaves in 2020 as a free agent.
“GM Danny Ainge is undeterred on making a trade for Davis, even without an assurance that Davis would agree to an extension with the Celtics,” according to ESPN. “Boston has been calling New Orleans for the past year-plus on Davis, and has gathered multiple first-round picks and young players to include in a package for him.”
Considering the NBA trade deadline isn’t until February 7, there are more chips to fall in this story.
But, if Davis doesn’t change his tune and remains intent on winding up in LA, it seems more than likely he probably will.
Whether you’re looking to get into shape, or just get out of a funk, The Charge has got you covered. Sign up for our new wellness newsletter today.
