Anthony Davis, one of the best rising centers in the NBA today, has a lot of suitors and pundits believe that the 25-year-old could be drawn out of New Orleans if the Pelicans fail to perform accordingly. Davis remains under contract with his current team until 2021. From this season until that time, he is due to make roughly $80 million, figures that any team would gladly absorb with the right trade.
And if NBA legend Paul Pierce is to be believed, the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers could be two teams in pursuit of the top overall pick of the 2012 NBA Draft. He believes that this will depend entirely on the performance of the Pelicans. If New Orleans fails to gain ground, he guarantees that Davis will no longer be a Pelican before the year ends, Bleacher Report said.
A move to Boston instantly boosts the chances of the Celtics not only for the Eastern Conference but the whole league. He could join forces with Kyrie Irving, Al Horford and a returning Gordon Hayward plus a plethora of rising young cagers like Jayson Tatum, Jalen Brown, Marcus Smart or Terry Rozier – provided none of them are dealt in what is likely to be a multiplayer deal.
On the other end, a move to the Los Angeles Lakers would equally be interesting. With Los Angeles aggressively rebuilding, Davis could find himself playing alongside LeBron James. James is, of course, this year’s big story, signing with the Lakers after his second stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Looking ahead, several big names have been linked to the Lakers. This includes Kawhi Leonard, Kevin Durant, and Klay Thompson. If something does go down, it will happen by 2019. On whether Davis does end up being a Laker before or by that time is anyone’s guess, Lake Show Life said.
A move to the Lakers brings to mind that celebrated coming of Dwight Howard back during the 2012-13 NBA season. He teamed up with Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol but the marriage never bore fruit. Worse, Howard left the Lakers for the Houston Rockets, a move that Laker fans will never forget. And most know how Howard’s career nosedived from there.
All these rumors are expected to be downplayed by all parties concerned. Hence, all eyes are on the Pelicans who will try to once again make the playoffs. They did make the second round before they got mangled by the Golden State Warriors 4-1.
A potential Davis move to either the Celtics or the Lakers improves his chances of winning an NBA title. But the better question is whether he will be in the Eastern or Western Conference before the 2018-19 NBA season.
