Report: Anthony Davis Requests Trade From Pelicans
By Matt McCarthy, 985TheSportsHub.com
Let the Anthony Davis sweepstakes begin, but the timing couldn’t be any worse for the Celtics.
According ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Davis has asked the New Orleans Pelicans to trade him. Wojnarowski reported that Davis’ agent, Rich Paul, told the Pelicans that the star big man had “no intention of signing a contract extension…and that he has requested a trade.”
The Celtics are limited in what they can offer the Pelicans before July 1 due to the NBA’s Rose Rule. If the Celtics were to swing a trade for Davis this year, Kyrie Irving would have to be apart of the trade.
So it’s finally come to a head with Anthony Davis and the New Orleans Pelicans and Davis wants a trade.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) January 28, 2019
Reminder: the Boston Celtics can not trade for Davis this season, while they still have Kyrie Irving on his current contract. Can only acquire one designated player via trade.
Irving could potentially facilitate a Davis trade before July 1 by signing a contract extension with the Celtics now, but that would limit his earnings potential this summer when he becomes a free agent.
Davis is due for a big payday himself. He is eligible for a 5-year, $240 million extension this summer and can become a free agent after the 2020 season.
According to Wojnarowski, Davis apparently wants to wind up somewhere he will have a good chance to win.
Rich Paul to ESPN on a preferred destination for Anthony Davis: "Anthony wants to be traded to a team that allows him the chance to win consistently and compete for a championship."
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 28, 2019
The Celtics would seemingly give Davis a chance to compete for a championship, but it seems like the Celtics can’t compete for Davis at the moment without taking drastic measures to get him.
By the time July 1 rolls around, it might be too late.
You can hear Matt McCarthy on various 98.5 The Sports Hub programs. Follow him on Twitter @MattMcCarthy985.
