If you think the Anthony Davis drama is over, think again. Yes, the New Orleans Pelicans have the no. 1 pick in the upcoming Draft Lottery, but AD is still persistent on his decision to be traded. There's no telling where he'll land this summer, but new rumors are suggesting a new team that could lure the big man.
According to the source familiar with the matter, the Toronto Raptors can gamble on signing Davis this offseason. The website posted a recent Bleacher Report article regarding Dan Favale's "updated" trade insights. The author still included previous frontrunners like the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers as favorites, but he also included the Raptors in the update.
Favale sees the Raptors as a sleeper in this transaction, and a "tantalizing destination" for the former number 1 pick. He added that Toronto, who is now facing the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference Finals, can send Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby and Serge Ibaka to the Pelicans. The source also said that Toronto can also throw a 2021 first-round pick "
with top-three protection" to the mix.
Should the trade push through, Favale said that it will happen "on or before draft night." There's a catch in the transaction, too. In order for this to work well or at least on paper, the Raptors need to make Kawhi Leonard stay with the team.
This, however, might be tricky. Buzz around the NBA are predicting a "hookup" between Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers. ESPN's Ramona Shelburne touch on this fact, saying that the Clippers are in the "driver's seat" to get Leonard because he is one guy "who wants his own team."
This is not set in stone though, as things can change with a bat of an eyelash in the NBA. Leonard and the Raptors are making progress in their venture to win their first ever championship trophy. All versatile forward also hit arguably one of the best clutch baskets in NBA Playoffs history and in the process, knocking out the Philadelphia 76ers.
Whether the Raptors get knocked out by the Bucks, they can still make a run for Kawhi and ask him to stay. The two-time Defensive Player of the Year can make Toronto his direct line if he wants to win a ring.
As for Davis joining the team, Favale added that there can be a "mutual understanding" for this to push through. One, go after AD and Leonard "stays put." The other is to make Kawhi re-sign with the Raptors whether or not they will go after Davis. Either way, Toronto has a nice enough spot in the power rankings.
