The New Orleans Pelicans are getting closer to move their All-NBA forward Anthony Davis. The Lakers and Celtics emerged as frontrunners at the moment as both teams are now in talks with the Pelicans, report ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Zach Lowe, Ramona Shelburne, and Brian Windhorst.
Celtics and Lakers are engaged in trade talks with New Orleans on All-NBA star Anthony Davis, league sources tell me, @ZachLowe_NBA, @ramonashelburne and @WindhorstESPN. Lakers No. 4 pick has been discussed as trade chip to help Pels acquire high-level player in multi-team deals.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 12, 2019
Several names have already been thrown in the conversation as the Lakers are trying to get the deal done before the draft. Aside from the No. 4 overall pick, the Lakers are ready to offer Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball according to a report by Marc Stein. The one player the Lakers are hesitant to trade despite New Orleans demands is Kyle Kuzma, reports Tania Ganguli and Brad Turner.
The Lakers have made Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball and the No. 4 pick in the June 20 draft available in trade talks with the Pelicans, league sources say. New Orleans has made it known it hope to assemble a three-teams-or-more deal before surrendering Anthony Davis
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 12, 2019
One player that the Lakers’ trade discussions with the Pelicans for Anthony Davis could hinge on? Kyle Kuzma. The Lakers do not want to trade him, but the Pelicans want him as part of a package, sources tell me and @BA_Turner.
— Tania Ganguli (@taniaganguli) June 12, 2019
However, there are no particular assets that were revealed from the Celtics side. Brad Stevens’ team is also trying to bring back Kyrie Irving who decided not to exercise his player option for the 2019-20 NBA season and will become a free agent later this summer. The Celtics, however, will not reach their goal for the offseason anyway as Anthony Davis’ agent Rich Paul made it clear that his client will test free agency in 2020 regardless of the final destination.
It’s also important to note that the Lakers and Celtics are not working together, per Adrian Wojnarowski report. Earlier, David Griffin, New Orleans’ Executive Vice President Of Basketball Operations, provided the framework of the deal which may include more than two teams.
The Lakers and Celtics, however, are not the only teams that have already inquired with New Orleans. The Clippers and both New York franchises are still hoping to land a superstar who wants to compete for the NBA title immediately.
