On the eve of Game 6 of the NBA Finals, the Anthony Davis sweepstakes seems to be heating up.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers are both “engaged” in trade discussions with the New Orleans Pelicans for Davis’ services.
Wojnarowski also said, citing sources, that the Pelicans intend to move Davis before the NBA draft on June 20.
The inclusion of the Celtics in this report is particularly interesting. Boston general manager Danny Ainge has been reluctant to part with his young core in the past, opting instead to develop players like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
Boston trading for Davis almost would mandate that it give up one of those two young forwards, in addition to significant draft capital.
Davis’ agent, Rich Paul, also made it clear in a Sports Illustrated post earlier Wednesday that Davis would not sign a long-term extension with the Celtics.
“They can trade for him, but it’ll be for one year,” Paul told Sports Illustrated’s S.L. Price. “I mean: If the Celtics traded for Anthony Davis, we would go there and we would abide by our contractual [obligations] and we would go into free agency in 2020.
“I’ve stated that to them. But in the event that he decides to walk away and you give away assets? Don’t blame Rich Paul.”
The Lakers are the more realistic contender to land Davis. They can offer young pieces such as Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma, Josh Hart or the No. 4 pick in the NBA draft.
According to the New York Times’ Marc Stein, the Lakers have already made Ball, Ingram and the No. 4 pick available to New Orleans. Stein also said the Lakers are shopping the No. 4 pick for other assets the Pelicans may find more appealing.
With the NBA draft just more than one week away, a resolution to this saga may be coming to an end sooner rather than later.