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There is a blizzard of rumors swirling around the New Orleans Pelicans' superstar pivot Anthony Davis. Their center is coveted by many general managers and teams throughout the NBA. Pelicans’ general manager Dell Demps is in a tough spot.
He can wait until this summer to offer the big man a supermax contract that would pay Davis 35% of the team's payroll as a 7-year veteran. It would be for another five years which would kick in after his current 5 years $145 million dollar deal expires in the summer of 2021.
However, Davis could reject the supermax extension this summer and would then almost certainly opt out of the last year of his current deal making him a free agent in the summer of 2020. Ultimately Demps’ dilemma is if Davis rejects the supermax deal this summer. Demps could try and trade Davis.
However, with opposing General Managers knowing Davis will be an unrestricted free agent they might not want to give up assets and draft picks. General Managers knowing they could sign Davis in 2020 and add his immense talents to their current roster would play hardball with Demps.
The trade deadline is February 7th, 2019 so Demps could move Davis now when he would most likely fetch a hefty return for the star center from a desperate team. The Lakers are interested and so to are the Celtics. However, the Celtics must wait until the summer to make a play for Davis because of the CBA’s Designated Rookie Rule. Kyrie Irving’s contract has to expire first.
It’s a rule obviously meant to prevent certain teams from stockpiling young rising talent by pillaging other teams. Apart from these obvious rumors, of Davis to the Los Angeles Lakers or to Boston, here is a quick look at potential destinations for Davis that are somewhat under the radar.
#1 Houston Rockets
After winning 65 games last season, the Rockets struggled out of the gate this season. However, they are on a meteoric rise in the Western Conference standings. They currently are 4th overall in the west.
They are doing it mostly on the strength of a record-breaking stretch of 30 plus point games from one James Harden. Harden has put the Rockets completely on his back in the absence of the Rockets star point guard Chris Paul who is expected back at the end of January.
Currently, Eric Gordon and Brandon Knight are hurt as well. The Rockets are a perimeter-oriented team and if Paul makes it back healthy he and Harden will need help. Earlier this season when things were not going well the Rockets were willing to deal 4 future first round draft picks to the T-Wolves for Jimmy Butler.
They could offer Clint Capela who is a less dynamic offensive version of Davis, either Eric Gordon or Brandon Knight, to make salaries match and 2 first round draft picks for Anthony Davis.
Davis would give Houston everything they get out of Capela defensively and so much more offensively. Davis would bring an inside post game the Rockets don’t currently have. However, Davis can play on the perimeter as well and could take a lot of pressure off of Harden and Paul. The Rockets would become a true contender to the Golden State Warriors’ dynasty.
#2 Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons are out of the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference and don’t appear ready for a serious push to get to the playoffs. The Pistons already made a blockbuster deal last season bringing in star power forward Blake Griffin. It has not translated into wins and after a 14-6 start, this season the Pistons are 18-24. They have been streaky all year and a deal for Anthony Davis might spark a winning streak that could carry them to a playoff run.
At the very least, they would have perhaps the most fearsome frontcourt in the NBA. An offer of Andre Drummond who’s salary is similar to Davis’ and a package of first-round picks would help Dell Demps rebuild A.D., after Anthony Davis. Drummond would be under contract through 2021. He could replace Davis’s rebounding and rim intimidation for the Pelicans.
Also, his player option for 2020 gives the Pelicans flexibility. Drummond, who will be 27 years old in 2020, will most likely not command a supermax/max deal next time he is a free agent. Dell Demps will have an easier time allowing Drummond to walk away or negotiate a more team friendly deal.
#3 Miami Heat
The Miami Heat are currently 6th in the Eastern Conference at 21-20. They could really shake up the Eastern Conference if they made a deal with the Pelicans for Anthony Davis. The Heat like the Pistons could offer a salary for salary swap. A proposed trade for Hassan Whiteside, also a center, and a package of first-round draft picks could work.
Whiteside would provide the Pelicans with double-double efforts as he currently averages 12.5ppg and 12.5rpg this season. Whiteside also averages 2.5bpg. His contract has an opt-out/player option this season so New Orleans could shed his $27 million dollar salary very soon.
As for the Heat, Anthony Davis would give a young squad instant star power. With young players like Justin Winslow and Josh Richardson on the rise, Davis would add immense offensive potency that Hassan Whiteside does not offer the Heat. This deal would certainly move Miami into the top 4 teams in the East and make them a scary first round matchup come playoff time.
#4 Golden State Warriors
The Warriors are the team to beat in the NBA. They are the reigning NBA Champions the last two years and have been a threat to win it all. The Warriors seem a little stale or past their due date right now. It's not that they can’t or won’t win it all again this year they just don’t seem inspired at the moment.
They are second in the Western Conference at 29-14. However, they have lost twice to the Raptors. The Warriors got blown out in one of those matches. They have also been blown out by the Thunder, Bucks and the Lakers on Christmas Day. At times, even the best have to make adjustments or changes to stay on top.
The Warriors could offer two first round picks, Draymond Green and Shaun Livingston. Davis might be the piece that keeps Kevin Durant with the Warriors past this summer. Durant does have an opt-out clause for the summer of 2019. This potential deal would also eliminate any bad blood and bitterness that could still be lingering from the dispute between Green and Durant earlier this season. This deal would certainly ensure Golden State’s dominance with Davis as the man in the middle the Warriors lack at both ends of the floor.
#5 Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers are 24-19 on the season and in the midst of the playoff picture in the Western Conference. They currently hold the 6th seed as far as potential playoff rankings. A deal for Anthony Davis could be a game changer for them.
A deal that included the Clippers parting ways with Danilo Gallinari, a first-round draft pick and perhaps a young player like Montrezl Harrell could bring Anthony Davis the Clippers.
The Clippers would be a top 4 team in the Western Conference. Further, with players like Tobias Harris and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander complemented by Anthony Davis’ complete game, the Clippers would have a good core group of players for a while to come.
The Pelicans would then have Gallinari for the rest of this season and next. Harrell at $6 million through next season is a very manageable contract while Dell Demps is rebuilding the Pelicans. Harrell is also a player on the rise currently contributing 16ppg and 6.8rpg for the Clippers in 25.5 mpg.
