The Anthony Davis trade drama will have to come to an end eventually. The New Orleans Pelicans cannot risk having a soured locker room chemistry in Zion Williamson’s first year.
When Anthony Davis submitted his trade request, he put the New Orleans Pelicans in a tough spot. They balked at moving him at the deadline, and it tanked the Los Angeles Lakers’ season. Rajon Rondo confirmed the depth of negativity the trade rumors created.
The New Orleans Pelicans cannot risk the negativity affecting Zion Williamson. If Davis is not traded before July 5, Williamson will surely have had to answer speculative questions concerning the team.
That is not good for the Pelicans’ new team culture or Williamson’s affable marketability.
David Griffin and Trajan Langdon had their chance pitching Davis on a super-max extension. The leaks make that scenario seem unlikely, so now the Pelicans’ front office is listening to trade package pitches for Davis.
David Griffin cannot lose Anthony Davis in free agency next summer. Any assets are better than no assets.
Waiting until the trade deadline in February 2020 is not out of the question. New Orleans could use this season to try and convince Davis this is a championship core. That is also unlikely, however. The injury risk and prolonged media prodding would take its toll on Zion’s rookie season.
Having one’s new significant other have to deal with the old flame’s drama does not lay a foundation of peace and happiness. Therefore, Davis will be dealt this summer.
The Team USA camp starts in August. NBA Summer League is July 5-15. The NBA Draft will be held on June 20th. The Finals are still being contested, though it looks like Toronto’s 3-1 lead will hold.
And the silly season of summer trades and free agent tracking has already begun. Brooklyn went Brooklyn and kicked the off-season party off early.
The two most logical days for the eventual Anthony Davis trade news is right before the draft, or the day before free agency officially begins, the late evening of June 30. The Davis trade saga may extend until then, but at least the midnight nonsense is over.
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Trading Davis before the draft allows the whole league to approach the draft with their own team’s priorities in mind. No Davis news before the Pelicans select Zion Williamson means New Orleans would still be juggling the direction of the franchise with Zion officially on board.
Griffin and Langdon would not have a trade haul to build around. The draft picks potentially headed their way would be selected without the Pelicans’ input. A team like the Knicks may make a selection based on a need the Pelicans do not need filled. That hurts both teams.
Part of changing the perception of the Pelicans is the front office being decisive. Stringing along other franchises when the decision on accepting a certain trade package has already been made is bad for business.
New Orleans’ new front office needs other clubs to be open to conversations. It’s the only way for Griffin and Langdon to do their jobs to their full potential. The Lakers already feel slighted, though by the former Pelicans regime. Will Danny Ainge offer less if he thinks Boston is being used only as leverage, or if the long negotiation time costs the Celtics Kyrie Irving?
How will all of those draft picks be affected if every team thinks it must trade up? The 2019 NBA draft will be more fun for the casual fan if Davis has yet to be traded.
Griffin and Langdon might not describe waiting on a Davis trade until after the NBA Draft as fun. The pressure would increase exponentially. There are only so many free agent stars to fill the max spots available.
Holding Davis until some of the early moves are complete could give New Orleans added leverage. Several bidders may drop out, sure. The few serious teams could up the raise the ante in the Pelicans’ off-season poker game.
Desperate teams make desperate moves. Toronto winning the NBA title might lead to a surprising, league altering change.
All-World talents dictate the terms of their career once they reach their prime. Anthony Davis is attempting to force his way to a preferred team a year earlier than his contract allows. It could be argued Davis has yet to reach the level of the other top tier free agents available.
Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard will pick their teams for next season and largely get the team they want around them. The second tier free agents may have to settle for their second or third options. The Pelicans could find themselves in a position to chase a upper level free agent if they wait patiently.
However, the offers are unlikely to change much. Not without teams make a few trades to amass assets or young veterans, which some are looking to do. Trading Davis before the NBA Draft gives the Pelicans the best look and the quickest start to their rebuild.
The NBA Draft is June 20. The start of the new league year is July 1. If Anthony Davis is not traded by then, the off-season has a chance to get chaotic.
A Las Vegas over/under line of June 23, to match Davis’ jersey number, would be a tough bet to pick. Almost as hard as picking which trade package to accept and when to ask for more.
Those that want this saga over would beg for the Under. Those that enjoy the speculation just really enjoy the NBA trade machine game. For more Anthony Davis/New Orleans Pelicans updates, stay locked in to Pelican Debrief.