The Boston Celtics remain the only team that has enough assets to land New Orleans Pelicans big man Anthony Davis via trade. According to Matt Burke of Metro, the Pelicans could trade away big man DeMarcus Cousins before the trade deadline, and they could also ship Davis to another team. The Celtics could be an attractive trade partner for the Pelicans as the former own a 2018 conditional first-round pick that they acquired from the Philadelphia 76ers when they traded the 2017 No. 1 overall pick for the No. 3 pick.
Burke said the Celtics could package the 2018 pick together with Al Horford and rookie Jayson Tatum for Davis and veteran guard Tony Allen.
Burke said other teams interested in Davis cannot produce such a package. The 76ers could interest the Pelicans with some future picks and young players, but putting Davis alongside Joel Embiid could affect the team’s chemistry.
Davis getting frustrated with Pelicans’ losses
Recently, Davis expressed disappointment over their two previous losses that dropped them to 18-18 on the season, good for eighth in the tough Western Conference. After their 105-103 loss to the New York Knicks, Davis called out the team’s lack of energy. “We have to get back to playing how we were playing before, which is with a lot of energy. But, I’m not frustrated. I’m disappointed we dropped these two,” said Davis, per the New Orleans Advocate.
Against the Knicks, the Pelicans’ bench was outscored by New York’s reserves, 42-10. Dissatisfaction such as this could eventually force Davis to ask for a trade to a winning team, like the Celtics.
Earlier, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported that Davis wants to play for a “well-balanced franchise” like the San Antonio Spurs.
Rob Wolkenbrod of Air Alamo said Davis might ask for a trade to the Spurs if the Pelicans do not provide him with a clear plan to turn the franchise into a winning one.
DeMarcus Cousins also on the trading block?
Cousins, Davis’ frontcourt partner, could also be shipped before the February 8 trade deadline. According to Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report, the Los Angeles Lakers might pursue Cousins and possibly Paul George of the Oklahoma City Thunder before the deadline, per NESN.
Pincus said there is a strong possibility that Cousins might land in Los Angeles, more so than George, who could also join the Lakers in the offseason if he opts out of his deal. Before the start of the season, the Pelicans were hopeful that the Davis-Cousins tandem would make them one of the contenders in the Western Conference. With the way things are going, the Pelicans need to consider making a few changes before the deadline.
