NBA Trade Rumors Roundup, January 18th: Anthony Davis decision, Kyrie Irving and more

We have now passed the halfway point of the 2018/19 NBA season, and teams are starting to get a good idea about where they currently stand. Up until this point, both Conferences have remained competitive, with eleven teams in playoff contention in the Eastern Conference, whereas every team except the Phoenix Suns has a shot in the West.

The February trade deadline is also quickly approaching, as the NBA has made changes to the deadline so that it will now always occur 10 days before the All-Star game. This has been done so that players who get traded have time to settle into their new teams, and this year's trade window will close on February 7th.

So with the deadline just a month away, here are the biggest trade rumors you need to know for January 18th.

Kyrie Irving linked with a move to the Los Angeles Lakers

Earlier this week, the Boston Celtics pulled off a surprise win against the Eastern Conference-leading Toronto Raptors. Entering the game, the Celtics had suffered three defeats in a row, however, Kyrie Irving scored 27 points and added 18 assists as the Celtics came away with a 117-108 win.

On a recent edition of ESPN's 'First Take', Stephen A. Smith was discussing Irving's performances, and Smith revealed that sources were telling him that the Celtics man could be set for a surprise summer move to the Lakers:

I got a text from an unnamed source that said 'wow, I guess that makes it a bit easier for him to come to LA now'

Irving previously linked up with LeBron James in Cleveland, although the point guard requested a trade in 2017 due to his desire to lead his own team. So far this season Irving is averaging 22.8 points, 6.7 assists and 4.8 rebounds per game, and the 26-year-old has a player option on his contract this summer.

Dennis Smith Jr. could be staying in Dallas

It was reported last week that Dallas Mavericks point guard, Dennis Smith Jr, was set to leave the team, although ESPN is now stating that the Mavericks hope to reconcile with their 2017 draft pick:

The Dallas Mavericks are optimistic that they can reconcile and move forward with point guard Dennis Smith Jr. and are insistent they won't trade their 2017 lottery pick unless they get good value in return. The Mavs have shopped Smith, 21, throughout the season but haven't received any offers that have tempted them to pull the trigger on trading a player whom the Dallas front office still believes has potential to develop into a star

Smith Jr. was last season named to the All-Rookie Second Team, although he has since had to take a backseat to Luka Doncic. So far this season, Smith Jr. is averaging 12.6 points, 3.9 assists and 2.6 rebounds per game, although he has missed the Mavs last four games.

Anthony Davis set to stay with the Pelicans this season

Cleveland Cavaliers v New Orleans Pelicans

Anthony Davis' future remains a major talking point in the NBA, and some speculation has linked the 5-time All-Star with a trade before the February trade deadline. Nevertheless, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting that Davis will remain a Pelican until at least the summer:

Anthony Davis' agent, told me they have not had any real, substantial discussions about Anthony’s future in New Orleans with the Pelicans. Anthony’s focus has been on ‘let’s get this team back. Two and a half games out of eighth place in the West, let’s try to get the group back into the playoff picture

5-time All-Star Davis is contracted to the Pelicans until 2021, although he can opt out of his contract next summer. So far this season the 25-year-old is averaging 29.4 points, 13.4 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game.