Anthony Davis is laser-focused on becoming a Laker and will soon make that clear to the rest of the NBA, according to a report Tuesday.
Davis has informed the New Orleans Pelicans that he wants to be traded to a championship-contending team and will not sign an extension with them.
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ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Tuesday that multiple league sources expect Davis and his agent, Rich Paul, to soon deliver word to interested teams that the five-time All-Star big man's preferred destination is the Lakers and he won't re-sign with any other team that trades for him. Davis won't become a free agent until 2020, meaning he'd only be a rental for anyone other than the Lakers.
That, of course, is a blow to the Knicks, who have reportedly been preparing a trade offer for Davis. It's highly unlikely the rebuilding franchise would part with its young up-and-comers and/or draft picks without any assurance Davis would remain in New York beyond next season.
The NBA trade deadline is Feb. 7. The Pelicans have indicated they won't be pressured to deal him by then.
Paul is the agent for both Davis and LeBron James, who has said publicly that it would be "amazing" to team with the 25-year-old power forward/center.
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The Boston Celtics also are believed to be interested in Davis, but they cannot trade for him until after July 1 because NBA rules wouldn't allow both Kyrie Irving's and Davis' contracts on the same team under the designated rookie exception. But if Davis vows not to re-sign with Boston, that could impact the Celtics' interest in him as well.
The 6-foot-10, 235-pound Davis was the first overall pick in by the then-New Orleans Hornets in 2012. In 41 games this season, the former Kentucky star is averaging 29.3 points, 13.3 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.7 steals -- all career highs. He's been out since Jan. 18 with a finger injury.
Davis is earning $27 million this season and set to make $28.75 million in 2019-20.