Following their bitter exit at the hands of the Milwaukee Bucks in the second round, the Boston Celtics are already planning for what promises to be a busy summer.
Not really slowed down by a recent mild heart attack, general manager Danny Ainge is doing his thing.
According to Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald, that could soon including trading for New Orleans Pelicans star big man Anthony Davis.
“The Celts may still not be sure about a deal because it’s not known yet what the Pels will want in return for the All-Star, but there seems to be a belief that they’d be able to work things out,” the Celtics insider noted.
Boston was interested in adding Davis during February’s trade deadline. That became an impossibility due to Kyrie Irving’s contract. With Irving set to become a free agent, that’s no longer an issue. Boston could re-sign Irving while still adding Davis in a trade.
Bulpett notes that Davis and the Pelicans are set to meet within the next week. First-year New Orleans general manager David Griffin will attempt to talk Davis into rescinding his trade request. It’s going to be a tough sell.
Boasting the No. 1 overall pick in next month’s NBA Draft, the Pelicans are more than likely going to add Zion Williamson to the mix. If they can get young players and picks from the Celtics, the team could start anew.
With Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown on the roster, Boston always seemed like a logical fit. It boasts the 14th overall (from Sacramento) and 22nd pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. The Celtics also have a protected (1-6) first-round pick from Memphis next year.
Now that the Lakers are seemingly out on Davis, New Orleans will assuredly turn its attention to Boston. If that’s the case, something could happen during the draft next month.