AD shrinks list of teams he'd re-sign with to LAL, NYK: Cs not deterred


The Anthony Davis trade saga seems to be taking on new momentum, with New Orleans Pelicans GM David Griffin having reportedly begun speaking with teams about what he'd like back in any trade proposal for Davis, and now The Athletic's Shams Charania is reporting that Davis has restricted his list of teams with which he'd re-sign.


That list, which previously included the Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Clippers, New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers, has now, evidently, been reduced to the Knicks and Lakers. Despite all this, the Boston Celtics are reportedly still planning to pursue Davis, even considering the fact that AD might walk after next season, particularly if Kyrie Irving chooses to sign with another team in free agency.

It is of course quite possible that Griffin is leaking much of the current narrative intentionally, seeking to maximize his returns for the star big man in the wake of such leverage-reducing incidents as owner Gayle Benson's rumored "over my dead body" comments regarding consummating a deal with the Lakers after this winter's Klutch Sports' attempt to force a trade to that team.

Expect much more disinformation than we likely witnessed around last season's trade deadline as multiple teams are now able to field more competitive offers for Davis, including potential darkhorse offers. Also consider the fact that while AD may represent a big risk in next summer's free agency, he can also be dealt by the trade deadline yet again if no firm commitment has been reached to resign the player.

While such a deal would certainly not lend Boston as many assets as it will have to proffer to land Davis, it wold likely return both useful players as well as future assets, and in such a light, an AD trade may be more palatable if not much less fraught in the damage it could do to Boston's rebuild. However we feel about such a prospect, for now, the only thing we can do is wait.

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Image: B. Babineau/NBAE
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