The New Orleans Pelicans remained steadfast in their resolve not to trade Anthony Davis until considering all options this summer. What if that plan backfires?
General managers and owners alike (especially small market teams) praised the New Orleans Pelicans for not cowering under the pressure of the major market team in Los Angeles to hastily trade Anthony Davis. Pelicans ownership and management brass are working this deal on their timeline and nobody else’. But could this plan end up backfiring on them in the future?
Nearly 3 hours away from the NBA's trade deadline and ... the Lakers-Pelicans talks on Anthony Davis are dormant, league sources tell ESPN. No communication, nor an expectation that they'll even speak today. Pelicans seem content to run out the clock.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 7, 2019
The Los Angeles Lakers reportedly offered a variety of trade packages that included young assets, future picks, and cap relief by absorbing Solomon Hill‘s remaining contract. The last of which included the core of young Lakers Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, Brandon Ingram, and 2 future first-round draft picks. Sources say the Pelicans were looking for something a little more ambitious that may have included 4 first round picks.
The trade deadline came and went with no deal transpiring and reports saying the Pelicans were never really interested in trading Davis now. From the Pelicans perspective it makes sense in the interim as they must wait until the offseason to consider offers from the Boston Celtics. Many believe the Celtics are the only other team that can offer the Pelicans the young assets and draft picks that greatly covet.
The Celtics are at a crossroads this summer as well. Their star Kyrie Irving can opt out and test the free agency waters himself. This past week when asked about his upcoming decision, Kyrie was noncommittal and simply said “ask me July 1st“. This is a stark cry from his seemingly concrete statement he made before the season started when he exclaimed that he wanted to be a Celtic for years to come.
If Kyrie were to opt out and join let’s say the New York Knicks, the Celtics would most certainly be out on the Anthony Davis sweepstakes. At that point the Lakers, knowing their leverage would be greatly increased at that point, certainly would not be willing to bet the farm at that point if they feel they could wait a year later and get Anthony Davis in free agency the following summer or offer a lesser package before the free agency deadline in 2020.
This is not even mentioning the potential availability of Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, Kawhi Leonard, and Jimmy Butler. If the Lakers were to snag one or two of these stars, would they still be looking to grab AD at this point for what the Pelicans were asking? Where would that then leave the potential suitor list moving forward as it was reported their were a list of only four teams AD would be willing to re-sign with?
All of this is pure speculation and a lot can change between now and the summer. It is commendable that the New Orleans Pelicans are not budging under the pressure from any team as they look to make the right decision for the future of the franchise. Here’s hoping that the right decision hasn’t already presented itself.