According to a report from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Anthony Davis wants out from the New Orleans Pelicans. Rip City Project’s team discusses different packages the Portland Trail Blazers could try to nab the All-NBA forward.
The news broke Monday morning – and you’ve either heard about it hours ago, or you live under a rock. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported a statement from Anthony Davis‘s agent, Rich Paul, that the All-NBA forward does not plan on re-signing with the New Orleans Pelicans and has requested a trade.
Agent Rich Paul has notified the New Orleans Pelicans that All-NBA forward Anthony Davis has no intention of signing a contract extension if and when presented and that he has requested a trade, Paul told ESPN on Monday.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 28, 2019
Anthony Davis was drafted first overall by the Pelicans back in 2012. A five-time All-Star, he has also thrice been named to the All-NBA First Team and All-NBA Defensive teams. This season, he is averaging 29.3 points, 13.3 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 2.6 blocks, and 1.7 steals per game.
Let’s make this clear from the get-go: it is very unlikely the Portland Trail Blazers enter this sweepstakes as legitimate contenders…
Per Zach Lowe’s most recent episode of The Lowe Post, with guests Brian Windhorst and Howard Beck, the Pelicans made Nikola Mirotic, Julius Randle, and E’Twaun Moore available for draft picks this past weekend. New Orleans is then likely angling for a rebuild, while hoping they can hang onto Jrue Holiday, who is on contract until 2021.
If the Pelicans are truly looking to reset their roster, there are other teams that could offer much better youth- and draft-oriented packages to secure Davis than the Blazers. These are the same teams you’ve heard salivating over the prospect of adding AD since last summer: the Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, (and to a lesser extent) Philadelphia 76ers, and New York Knicks.
Moreover, there is no reason New Orleans should feel forced to deal Davis before the February 7 trade deadline. In fact, as many NBA insiders suggest, their smartest timeline may be to sit tight until the offseason and assess the various options then.
Davis has carried himself as a professional throughout his career and will continue to work hard regardless of the team he’s on, likely not causing the type of Jimmy Butler madness we saw earlier this season.
Last month, New Orleans’ Head Coach Alvin Gentry said:
"“We’re not trading him. I can say that to the world. We’re not going to trade him, no matter what. That’s not an option.”"
And according to The Athletic’s Will Guillory, Jrue Holiday said of the news:
"“Anthony had to do what’s best for him. It’s business. … he’s going to come in here and work.”"
The Pelicans have shown no indication that they want to trade Davis before they are ready, and if Holiday’s quote is any evidence, everyone expects him to continue his elite production for the club regardless of where he eventually ends up.
Without the leverage of pressure, Portland is in an even tougher situation to entice the Pelicans.
But with any superstar who suddenly seems available, the Blazers should be trying anything and everything to bring the seven-year man out of Kentucky to Rip City.
Upcoming are a few potential trades the Rip City Project team have dreamed up to land Anthony Davis.