Jan 12, 2019; Minneapolis, MN, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) looks on during the second half against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Anthony Davis is the rock that will make major waves through NBA waters as his future stands to swing the league’s balance of power. At 25 years old, AD is poised to change the fate of a franchise and conceivably deliver multiple banners if the struggling Pelicans actually decide to deal him before the trading deadline. Or he could stay in New Orleans and leave his future in the hands of an organization that has never landed an All-Star free agent in its history.
Where Davis ends up has been a topic of conversation for years now, simmering as free agents like LeBron James and Kevin Durant changed teams, stars like Kyrie Irving and Kawhi Leonard forced trades, and the Pelicans have been stuck in mediocrity. Now, the AD speculation has reached a boil. With the trade deadline approaching, teams in “win now” mode (see Lakers, Sixers, and Celtics) could pull the trigger on swapping assets to land Davis. Otherwise, the three-time All-NBA, all everything forward is signed through next season with a player option for 2020-21.
So before the Anthony Davis recruitment tour rolls through every NBA city, the ultimate question is money or legacy? New Orleans has the ultimate bargaining chip, a $239 million, five year super-max contract. That’s a quarter-billion dollars and $25 million more than he can sign for if he went to a new team according to the league’s current collective bargaining agreement.
If Davis just wants to win championships (a la KD in the summer 2016), desires a bigger market or is looking for a change of scenery, only he knows. What we do know is that literally every team in the league wants him. Who makes the most sense or who would be fun to watch him play with...here’s our wishlist.
Pelicans
Staying put cannot be undervalued. Before the idea of creating another super team, the idea of a quarter-billion dollars generally takes priority. Signing a supermax in 2020 (when Davis is eligible for free agency), would mean he could be secure the bag at 26 years old, then chase championships five years later at the tail end of his prime.
To their credit, the Pelicans have attempted to bring talent to fit along with Davis. Before his achilles injury, the DeMarcus Cousins double-big experient was starting to work. This season, Davis will need to drag his team into the playoffs thanks to injuries and a talent drain. Proof that with a solid, but not star studded roster, he can carry a team competitively. On the other hand, with another All-Star his team becomes a contender.
Still, it’s worth noting that the situation could be out of Davis’ control if Dell Demps is feeling antsy. If the Pelicans GM fears an exit like LeBron James’ out of Cleveland (and Miami), that left his former teams without a star player and nothing in return, Demps could take the best offer. Considering the Pelicans AD (After Davis), with no star could sink basketball in New Orleans for years to come, the pressure is on the organization to do everything it can to keep him.
Lakers
LeBron’s move to LA was immediately met with the expectation of another superstar (or two) to join him in purple and gold. Davis’ age, style of play and the fact that he repped by one of James’s agent, Rich Paul, joining forces with the Lakers seems obvious.
The real question is when? Yes, the Lakers have the assets (Kyle Kuzma, Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball), but should they give them up via trade or hold out till Davis is a free agent after next season.
ESPN NBA insider, Brian Windhorst pointed out LeBron’s interest in Davis, and that the Lakers are looking to push now for a trade, before Boston can offer assets of greater value.
While the Pelicans could foil the master plan of the Klutch Sports agency, Davis could press the issue behind closed doors if he lets Demps and company know he is planning on leaving anyway. If there’s any franchise that deals in the business of star power and Larry O’Brien trophies, it’s the Lakers. AD is the player on the court that can defend multiple positions, space the floor and relieve the burden as LeBron is looking to win a few more before his prime expires (which is soon). Playing in the entertainment capital of the world is also sure to recoup the money Davis would miss out on by not signing the New Orleans supermax.
Celtics
Ever since the Boston Celtics broke up their big three of Pierce, Garnett, and Allen, they’ve been hoarding draft picks and superstar commodities better than any team. All along, Davis has unofficially been the object of Danny Ainge’s affection while he wheels and deals each season. On a recent episode of the Lowe Post Podcast, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski illuminated Ainge’s obsession.
“They always hoped that it would be, whether it’s the end of this season or the beginning of next before the trade deadline, that they would gather up all those assets, all those picks Danny Ainge has and young players, and they’d be the team to be able to get Anthony Davis.”
Pairing Davis with Kyrie, along with the likes of Jayson Tatum and Gordon Hayward, would be a menu of matchup nightmares. Davis adds rim protection and complements the Celtics talented group of wing players brilliantly. Still, Irving is among the loaded list of free agents this coming summer, and Tatum would definitely be the first player the Pelicans would desire along with Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart, and some draft picks.
Boston has the deepest selection of pieces to move that would allow New Orleans to reconstruct. Meanwhile, Davis lands on an immediate championship contender with multiple rings on the table.
Knicks
For Davis to play in New York, he would have to believe in the legacy narrative—that his arrival in the Big Apple would be one of the all-time great basketball stories. If it came to pass, The Brow would become The Savior of New York basketball, as delivering a championship to The Garden after a 45-plus year drought would immortalize him.
What the Knicks do have is cap space. A lot of it. With KD, Kyrie, Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, Kemba Walker, Jimmy Butler, and others, New York could sign two max players to go with a healthy Kristaps Porzingis (also a free agent in 2019) this summer. There is also a likely high lottery pick, a solid young core, and a coach in David Fizdale brought in to build a winning culture.
All of the pieces of there. Davis is a transcendent talent able live up to the highest of expectations. He would have to welcome the pressure brought on in the attention of the biggest market and a fanbase that would consider him the messiah. No pressure.
Sixers
This one has gained some steam lately. With a point forward that can’t shoot and a M.I.A. number one pick, the Process could change course to trade for Davis. Chris Sheridan of Get More Sports reports AD has list of five teams he is “considering” which includes the Pelicans, Lakers, Celtics, Knicks, and Sixers.
A Philly trade would potentially include one-and-done LSU product, Ben Simmons to New Orleans with Miami’s 2021 first rounder and a bundle of second rounders, expiring contracts, and if they see something in him, Markelle Fultz.
The odds of it happening may seem long, but actually they’re currently at 8-1. The idea of Davis and Joel Embiid is tantalizing, the mercurial but dynamically talented Jimmy Butler, and the remaining roster of the Sixers makes them the odds on favorite to come out of the East this spring.
Blazers
For those who sympathize for the all-everything player, this scenario is for you. Think of Garnett toiling in the Minnesota wilderness for most of his prime with little to no help. As Davis is used to carrying a team, Damian Lillard has had the Blazers on his back since he entered the league out of Weber State.
Yes, they have a dynamic backcourt with Lillard and CJ McCollum, this overachieving Portland team could level up by swapping stars (and kicking in a role player or two) with New Orleans. Dame and AD on the same team would be lethal. The idea Jusuf Nurkic as a big that allows Davis to play on the perimeter, draws all rim protectors out of the paint and creates ball movement that is otherwise lacking with current Blazers group. As far as interesting speculation goes, this is a good one to chew on.
Warriors
Super team haters would take to the streets if this happened, but if the defending champs don’t want to pay Draymond and would let Klay go to free agency, it could. There is the matter of paying free agent to be Durant, but he’s proven he’s willing to take a cut for the sake of the team.
AD to the Bay has been a fantasy since KD rocked the NBA and created the super-duper team in Golden State. Then after Boogie rolled the dice on a year with the Warriors, anyone seems to be a option. Davis, Durant, and Steph Curry all in their primes conjures up images of a Thanos-esque big three that would turn the rest of the league to dust.
For Davis this seems logical. Joining a winning culture with an organization defining the model of success in the modern era. Throw in the off the court riches to be made in Silicon Valley and it makes a lot of sense. But still, it just doesn’t seem fair.