The New Orleans Pelicans are still dealing with the fallout from their megastar requesting a trade out of town, and their options may be only getting more limited.
According to a report from ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, league sources expect Anthony Davis and his agent, Rich Paul, to inform teams that Davis will only sign a long term contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. This supposedly means that any other teams interested in trading for the All-Star forward may only have the rent-a-player through the 2019-20 season, after which he can become an unrestricted free agent.
ESPN's story on the developing landscape and positioning for a possible Anthony Davis trade. https://t.co/gkbykmohlV
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn)
January 29, 2019 The news will almost certainly limit the Pelicans changes of getting optimal return in a Davis trade. Just 24 hours ago his representatives were saying his trade request as the best thing for the Pelicans franchise, as doing it now will increase their pool of trade suitors. That was always laughable spin, and now the world can see that Davis has long been interested in only one thing -- playing with LeBron James in Los Angeles.
Remember earlier in the season when Davis said he wasn't interested in money, only championships? Frankly, that's also a load of nonsense if Wojnarowski's report is accurate. The Celtics, Sixers, Warriors, and a host of other destinations would give Davis more opportunity to win championships than whatever form of Lakers' team he eventually joins.
Also, the Pelicans in no way have to heed Davis' demands. He is under contract through next season, and the Pelicans shouldn't execute any trade that brings back discardable assets, whether that be overpaid role players, afterthought young players, or low draft picks. That trade wouldn't help New Orleans, it would be a gift to the Lakers. If Los Angeles wants Davis, then either pony up fair value or wait for another year and a half.
There’s zero reason for the Pelicans go accept a trade package of inferior players and draft picks for Anthony Davis. This garbage play by the Lakers, LeBron, & agent Rich Paul to get him to L.A. doesn’t mean jack to New Orleans. Them “wanting” AD doesn’t mean they should oblige
— Seth Dunlap (@sethdunlap)
January 29, 2019 Oh, and if Davis doesn't join the Lakers until the start of the 2020-21 season then James will be close to turning 36 years-old and most of their young players, like Kyle Kuzma, Brandon Ingram, and Lonzo Ball, will either be approaching restricted free agency or have already gotten new contracts. Considering those players seem currently incapable of keeping the Lakers competitive without LeBron -- the Lakers are currently in 9th place in the Western conference, falling significantly while James has been injured -- it's laughable to suggest the Lakers would offer, in 18 months, the best landing spot for Davis if he's only interested in winning championships.
So, Davis requested a trade over the weekend. Now, he'll apparently handcuff the Pelicans' front office by letting every team in the league know he'll only re-sign with the Lakers. Isn't it finally time to get over this absurd notion that Davis ever had the best interested of this city, or franchise, at heart?
