'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
It has finally happened. Anthony Davis has finally put in a trade request at the New Orleans Pelicans. It is reported that he has informed the Pelicans of his decision through his agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, who also represents LeBron James, among other high profile players.
Davis, it has been widely reported, has also spoken to his teammates before informing them of his decision. Well, this has now become the biggest story to break out since Kawhi Leonard asked to be traded away from the San Antonio Spurs.
Davis had tried his best to win with the Pelicans' makeshift roster season after season but has finally made a decision of moving on to bigger and better things. With his announcement and the trade deadline looming, some teams are going to try and beat everyone else to Davis, while others will look to bide their time until the offseason.
Let us look at the top 5 destinations where Anthony Davis can end up.
#5 New York Knicks
The New York Knicks have always been one of the biggest destinations for a free agent, even though their current fortunes may not give hope to their fans or any star names trying to get there.
But with a budding future star in Kristaps Porzingis, the potential chance to land Zion Williamson in the 2019 draft and the allure of Madison Square Garden have swayed many.
Anthony Davis may not have them as his first choice, but if the Pelicans decide to wait until the summer, they might have an interesting package from them on the table. The New York Knicks are destined to be one of the worst teams in the league this season, which gives them a huge chance at landing the #1 pick in the NBA 2019 draft.
This unprotected first round pick, along with a package including young stars like Frank Ntilinkina, Allonzo Trier, Trey Burke, Kevin Knox and a proven scorer like Tim Hardaway Jr. could sway the Pelicans. This might not be the best deal that they can get, but it will a tough one to move away from, especially if the Knicks land the #1 pick in the draft.
#4 Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are a franchise on the rise. A team with a rich history, a city with a craze for sports and a fan base that is behind you through thick and thin.
They already have a strong core of Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid and the newest addition Jimmy Butler. They seem to be very happy with their core and are definitely looking to challenge for the Eastern Conference title this season, along with the summer signing of Jimmy Butler in the works.
But this request from Davis throws a spanner in the plan. How can you not think of trading for one of the top 5 players in the NBA?
Philadelphia 76ers have built a great base, a team that can challenge the other star-studded rosters in the NBA and have a chance at creating a basketball dynasty, a place where Anthony Davis can definitely see himself playing basketball and winning, at least for the next 5 years.
The 76ers will do whatever they can to get Davis playing with them, including dealing with Ben Simmons. Simmons, along with a bunch of unprotected first-round picks, including Miami's 2021 unprotected pick and young role players like Landry Shamet, Zhaire Smith, maybe Markelle Fultz, along with a veteran expiring like TJ McConnell, can maybe change the mind of the Pelicans' backroom.
#3 Toronto Raptors
It is no secret that the Toronto Raptors are in a winning mode and are in the best position to win the Eastern Conference this season. Trading away their star DeMar DeRozan for Kawhi Leonard has done wonders for them, lifting them to another level and we can imagine Masai Ujiri doing something similar once again to try and make them even better in the short window they have.
The Toronto Raptors have the right blend of veteran stars and young upcoming talent to entice the New Orleans Pelicans to go into a semi-rebuild, not a total one, allowing them to stay competitive and draw crowds while rebuilding on the side with a bunch of young, talented players who are hungry to prove themselves.
A mix of players like OG Anunoby, Pascal Siakam, along with Serge Ibaka, Jonas Valunciunas and a few first round draft picks should be enough for New Orleans Pelicans to consider their options.
#2 Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics might be the team that can offer the New Orleans Pelicans the best deal of all the other 29 teams in the NBA. The fact that they cannot offer a deal before the season has ended is their only stumbling block.
This is due to a league rule, allowing only one player who has signed on the "Rose Rule" extension and Kyrie is on that contract with the Celtics and so is Davis for the Pelicans, which is why any deal right now for Davis, has to include Kyrie, which is counterproductive for the Celtics as Davis and Kyrie are best of friends and want to play together.
The Celtics will be hoping no offer comes in for Davis that is too hard to resist for the Pelicans. Patience is their key to their biggest new star since Kyrie Irving or one might even say Kevin Garnett.
If the Pelicans do decide to wait until the offseason, the Celtics will have the right mix of draft assets, along with some of the best young talent and veterans in the league. They can offer a package of Marcus Smart, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Al Horford, Gordon Hayward, along with a bunch of their own picks, along with the picks from the Grizzlies, the Kings and the Clippers. The Pelicans have got to wait for the best deal they might get this season.
#1 Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are the frontrunners to land Anthony Davis and now that Rich Paul has made it official that Anthony Davis will not sign any contract extension offered by the Pelicans, the Lakers have got to do whatever they can to try and pry Anthony Davis from the Pelicans.
If Rob Pelinka and Magic Johnson want Davis, the time is now, when the Celtics cannot offer anything to the Pelicans. They have to prepare to offer most of their young core in a deal to vastly speed up the club's timeline for winning big.
The Lakers are one of the biggest franchise in basketball history, with a huge number of Hall of Famers, MVPs and NBA champions having played in the Staples Center. Apart from the legacy it has to offer, they now have LeBron James, arguably the best player in history, but easily, the best player we have in the league.
If Davis wants to win championships, there is nobody better than LeBron James to help him out. With free agency looming, the Lakers can add another star and have their own super team to beat the Warriors. The Lakers have to throw everything they have at the Pelicans, Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma, Josh Hart, Lonzo Ball, Ivica Zubac, multiple first-round picks, whatever gets the job done and hope that the Pelicans accept whatever it is they offer.
Guess the Lakers players!
