By Tyler Blais
Anthony Davis did what we all expected and requested a trade from the Pelicans. With New Orleans being unable to build a true contender around the league's best big man, it was more likely that the young star would want out. He wants to be traded somewhere he can consistently have an opportunity to compete for a ring. AD listed Boston, Los Angeles, and Golden State as his preferred destinations.
As of right now, it’s rumored that the Pelicans asking price to the Lakers is Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, Ivica Zubac and a first rounder. In the past, the Lakers seemed unwilling to part ways with more than one of their three young stars (Kuzma, Ingram and Ball). LeBron wants help in LA sooner rather than later and with such a talented player on the line, it wouldn’t surprise me if they risk it all for The Brow.
Boston is in a tough situation, because they will have to wait until July 1st to make an offer for Davis due to the Rose rule. Boston has to be willing to part ways with Kyrie Irving to make a push for Davis. Anthony Davis is under contract through the 2020-2021 season, so they should be in no hurry to trade him away. Once the offseason rolls around it is likely that they will offer a package centered around draft picks and wing players. The Celtics are loaded with 4 draft picks this year and likely won’t have any roster spots for them next year. They also have many talented young wing players and with Jayson Tatum seeming untouchable, and will likely have to offer either Jaylen Brown or Gordon Hayward and draft picks.
The Warriors are Davis’s last preferred destination and the most unlikely. They don’t have the young assets or draft picks. The only trade that makes even a remote amount of sense for each team is if the Warriors sent Klay Thompson, Shaun Livingston, Jordan Bell and a first round pick. This is the only way they will have the cap space and actually give New Orleans something valuable in return. Klay Thompson’s dad said last August that he was going to resign next offseason. It doesn’t make sense for them to move a guy that fits so well in their system and is loved by everyone in Golden State.
Kyrie Irving, Kawhi Leonard and Jimmy Butler were the last three big stars to request trades in the NBA. All of them were traded to teams who weren’t listed as their preferred destinations, so it should surprise nobody if we see Anthony Davis playing next year on a outside of one of his preferred teams.
Comments