Will Anthony Davis be a Pelican beyond the Trade Deadline?

Trade Rumors Concerning AD

Action from New Orleans Pelicans v Los Angeles Lakers

There are two rumors that persist about Anthony Davis. First, the Boston Celtics have excessive depth on the wings with players like Gordon Hayward and third string point guard Terry Rozier. Hayward is still trying to rediscover his game after a serious injury last year and plays the same position as a young talented Jayson Tatum.

Rozier wasn’t given a contract extension in November. With Kyrie Irving on the roster and having already committed nearly $50 million to Marcus Smart over 4 years, Rozier is a luxury at the point guard spot for Boston. With Al Horford suffering knee pain and Aron Baynes out for 4-6 weeks with a broken hand, the Celtics could use a legitimate dominant center.

The Celtics' style of play is extremely perimeter-oriented and Davis would bring a two-way interior player who has a complete game. It would be a deal that could shift the balance of power in the East. Boston has struggled for much of this season and that would change with Davis in the line-up.

The problem with this rumor is the Kyrie Irving's 2015 rookie contract extension. The NBA's CBA prevents teams from trading for multiple players of that contract type. Therefore, Boston would have to wait until the summer to make an offer to the Pelicans. It also gets complicated because if Davis opts out of his contract, there would have to be a re-signing with the Pelicans and then a trade to the Celtic or the Celtics will try and sign Davis as a free agent.

The other rumor is a trade to the Los Angeles Lakers. After missing the playoffs last year, the Lakers are holding the 4th overall playoff spot in the Western Conference this year at 19-14. A weak spot for the Lakers is the center position.

Javale McGee played well early but had been out with an injury. The Lakers signed 37-year-old Tyson Chandler after he was bought out by the Phoenix Suns to back up McGee as centers Moritz Wagner Lvica Zubac had been struggling. Davis would lend immediate legitimacy to the LeBron James-led Lakers and make them a real threat to Golden State’s dominance over the Western Conference.

Regardless as to what happens from January 2nd, 2019 thru February 7th, 2019, it will be a nail-biting time for the Pelicans' fan base. All the Pelicans fans have is all-star center Anthony Davis, who, barring a trade, will represent New Orleans at the All-Star Game for the 6th time in 2019.

He is also playing like an MVP. The problem is the support players around him are not helping to lead the team to the next level. Whether he plays for New Orleans or another team, Anthony Davis will be well paid and will be a super star in the NBA.