The Boston Celtics are not currently in the conversation when it comes to acquiring Anthony Davis from the New Orleans Pelicans prior to Thursday’s NBA trade deadline. In fact, Boston can’t trade for Davis until July 1.
With all of that said, the general manager Dell Demps and the Pelicans have reportedly reached out to the Celtics about the framework of a potential summertime deal.
“According to league sources, the Pelicans reached out to the Celtics this week to discuss the framework of a possible Davis deal, ostensibly to ensure that if they pass up on other offers before Thursday’s deadline, it would be for good reason,” Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe reported.
The report went on to note that Boston is reluctant to give any guarantees on the parameters of a deal — namely either Jaylen Brown or Jayson Tatum.
That makes sense in that Boston doesn’t want to find itself in a situation that’s similar to what we’re seeing with the Lakers. That’s to say, multiple members of the team knowing they are on the trade block.
Here’s the details of this situation and what it means ahead of Thursday’s NBA trade deadline.
Lakers are pretty much out: Magic Johnson and Co. pulled out of trade talks.
- This came after Los Angeles provided the Pelicans with the godfather of all offers. New Orleans was never really willing to deal with the Lakers from the get.
- That could change if the Lakers somehow up their already ridiculous offer to the Pelicans.
Anthony Davis might not be keen on re-signing in Boston: That was made clear by Davis’ father recently.
- The entire Isaiah Thomas situation prior to him being dealt from Boston to Cleveland in the Kyrie Irving deal back in 2017 has played a role in this.
- Despite that, the Celtics might be willing to acquire Davis as a rental in order to entice him into re-signing with the team.
- It’s similar to what we saw with Paul George and the Thunder last season and are currently seeing with Kawhi Leonard in Toronto.
Pelicans might just wait: What’s the point in rushing to make a deal?
- New Orleans doesn’t need to trade Davis ahead of the deadline. He’s still under contract through the 2019-20 season. The team might, however, decide to sit him should a deal not be worked out.
- At that point, more teams might show interest in Davis during the summer — leading to a bidding war for his services. Right now, it seems that the Lakers are bidding against themselves.