The Anthony Davis Trade Saga: Part One?

Welp, here we are.

If you're in the Pelicans front office this is like owning a real life majestic, pelican.

Wait, what?

Odd concept, I know. But stick with me here...

You set your pelican's cage on a window sill overlooking a beautiful view of the sea where all these big and strong, wild pelicans soar around catching the elusive big fish. And your pelican knows he's just as big and just as strong as those pelicans. If only he had the chance to soar. Every now and then you walk by the cage and see the slightest bends in the wiring. But you're not very smart so you don't reinforce the wiring with some supporting casts. Your pelican eventually decides he's fed up, hops through the wiring, and asks you to open the window. Yes, he can talk. He's quite incredible. Probably one of the top five greatest pelicans currently flapping it's wings. Just outside the window several other pelicans sit perched. They aren't as big and strong as yours but because of that you could likely catch a few to hold as replacement prisoners while letting your pelican fly free. As you now know, he's smart enough to open the window himself eventually. It's only a matter of time. So what do you do?

Thanks for humoring me there with that analogy. That's essentially where we are with the Pelicans and Anthony Davis though. He's hinted at his departure, others have hinted, there has been no real belief that that he was going to stay in New Orleans long term. But the Pelicans never, as far as we know, made any calls to see what they could get a year or two ago when word first started going around. So now we're at the point where A.D., or rather his agent, Rich Paul has officially and unlawfully ($50k fine) put the Pelicans on notice that he wants out and will leave as a free agent if not traded beforehand.

So with the cage escaped, the window latch unlocked, and The Brow poised to soar, how will it all play out?

If the time is now for L.A., how do Magic Johnson and the Lakers take advantage of this trade opportunity?

Jake: If Anthony Davis wants to make the leap from small market to big market, then what better place to be thrust into the limelight than a LeBron-led Laker squad? I think Los Angeles is really going to need to throw everything they have into their trade offer before Boston becomes eligible to trade. Boston has to extend Kyrie's supermax contract before they can trade for another supermax player, they potentially have the best trade package for Davis. So where should LA start? I think they have to pull this trade off as soon as possible, but they also need to think about The Brow's fit in LA. Kuzma, as impressive as he's been this year (18.9pts/5.8rbs/2.5ast) would probably be in my trade deal, I really see a future in LA with Ingram, LeBron and Davis at the 3, 4 and 5 respectively. Kuzma is a hell of a player, and should probably be in the running for most improved player - but Ingram is such a tantalizing prospect with his KD-esque frame and potential that I'd struggle to give him up despite his own inconsistency. It's been reported that any trade deal from the Lakers would need to start with Lonzo Ball and either Ingram or Kuzma anyway, so if I'm Magic Johnson - the kid from Flint has got to go. 

My Trade

Lakers Receive: Anthony Davis.

Pelicans Receive: Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Lance Stephenson and 2019 1st round pick.

Chad: I feel you on the dilemma being between Kuzma and Ingram. When I began thinking about this question a few days ago I was sure I would keep Kuz and let Ingram go. But then I started thinking about the Lakers plan. They signed a 34 year old LeBron to a four year deal. And we know L.A. isn't about losing so it's safe to assume they're gonna throw everything and the kitchen sink at winning a minimum of one 'ship before Father Time inevitably catches up with King James. With that in mind, it doesn't really matter what they give up. They just need A.D. and sooner rather than later. So while I'd rather see them get rid of Ingram as I don't think he'll ever amount to much. The K.D. comparison is old news in my opinion. He's had more than enough time to prove he's at least a poor man's Kevin Durant and he's just not. Could he be that someday, sure. Anything is possible. But Kuz has shown true flashes of brilliance, supreme effort, solid defense, and a winners mentality. All things that I've never witnessed from Ingram. That said, I think L.A. has committed to Ingram and will offer up Kuzma in their trade requests with the Pelicans. I also hate to see Zo leave Los Angeles just because of the "reality show" storyline but that's a price I'm willing to pay as a fan to see LeBron play with the best player he will have ever shared the court with. I would love to see a long lineup of LeBron at the point, Ingram, Stephenson, Anthony Davis, and McGee.

But wait...

I got lucky that I'm way behind in writing this response and just learned that the Pelicans were underwhelmed with the Lakers first offer, meaning...

My Trade L.A. Lakers Receive: Anthony Davis

Pelicans Receive: Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Michael Beasley, Josh Hart, 2019 First Round Draft Pick

How does Boston get it's hands on this top-5 talent?

Jake: This is where things could get interesting... New Orleans could show their hand if they don't make a trade before the deadline - and with Davis reported to be happy to "play this season out" - this could be the frontrunner in trade options. 

As I said before, if Boston gives Kyrie his contract extension this summer then they can sign Davis. They'd definitely need to clear their shelves of young talent to get Davis, but man they'd be scary. Imagine Kyrie on the fast break, crossing defenders out of their shoes, but instead of sacrificing his body with acrobatics below the rim he's able to dump the ball to a cutting Davis who slams home the easy bucket. This team are going to have so many options on a nightly basis that this move would easily make them Eastern Conference favourites. If I'm Boston, I have a tough time throwing away some of these young guys with bright futures in the league, but I make this move for immediate dominance. Gordon Hayward just hasn't looked the same since his injury, which is incredibly sad considering how bright his future with the Celtics looked last Fall - but I think he needs a fresh start with a new franchise where he can handle the ball more often and regain his previous form. Boston doesn't get much love from it's fans for this move, but they'll quickly warm to the new kid in town.

My Trade

Celtics Receive: Anthony Davis and Tim Frazier

Pelicans Receive: Gordon Hayward, Daniel Theis and multiple 1st round picks.

Chad: I can see all kinds of mixtures of players forming to make this trade happen. And all outcomes would leave the Celtics significantly more shallow on the bench. I want to say, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." But it's The Brow we're talking about here. A top five player in the league. If at all possible the Celtics need to try to make this deal happen while still holding on to Kyrie, Tatum, Brown, and Smart while Horford being a close runner up. I would shop Gordon Hayward extremely hard, packaging him with whatever other assets are needed (outside of those previously mentioned) to get Anthony Davis in the Green and White. Sadly, like you said, Hayward just hasn't been the same. Mix that with Danny Ainge being notoriously cold hearted in his roster decisions and Boston fans being used to winning and I don't think there will be many tears shed for an understandably disappointing Hayward. But the problem I think the Celtics will run into here is the Pelicans don't have to trade Davis and they're gonna look at Boston's roster and counter every lowball offer with the greedy desire to dilute this stacked, although young Celtics roster. There's no real reason for them to settle for a deal they aren't happy with when the Celtics are more than capable of putting such a deal together and surely don't want to let Davis reach free agency where all bets are off on where he'll choose to sign. Therefore...

My Trade

Celtics Receive: Anthony Davis, Wesley Johnson

Pelicans Receive: Gordon Hayward, Jaylen Brown, Daniel Theis, and a Future 1st Round Draft Pick

Who is your dark horse in the Anthony Davis trade saga?

Jake: Milwaukee Bucks. I'm going to take a stab in the dark here and bring up some near hometown vibes. Davis is from Chicago - so I don't think we can discount AD moving closer to home and also forming one of the best frontcourts to ever grace the game. Imagine the absolute havoc an AD and Giannis pairing would bring to the league. The nighty lobs to each other and smothering defense would be a sight to behold - they'd easily get Milwaukee to the Finals and who knows what happens when they get there. Milwaukee would however need to offer a substantial package to convince New Orleans though.

My Trade

Bucks Receive: Anthony Davis, Tim Frazier and E'twuan Moore

Pelicans Receive: Eric Bledsoe, Khris Middleton, Thon Maker and multiple 1st rounds.

Chad: My dark horse is the dark horse of every season since the late-1990s, Old Gregg and the San Antonio Spurs. Side Note: My British friend here doesn't know who the real Old Gregg is. *Facepalm* I personally would love to see Davis end up in San Antonio for the next season and a half. I don't think he would resign here but I wouldn't mind seeing great basketball at it's finest with a dominant post-Duncan big man as the center piece. I think to make this a viable championship roster the Spurs would need to hold onto Derozan. I'm not a huge Derozan fan but he's going to bring a much needed offensive punch from the guard position that would be clearly lacking if they let him go. Therefore Aldridge would be the main piece in a Spurs/Pelicans deal and simply player-for-player, that may be the best big man the Pelicans are going to get in return for Davis in any trade. That being the case, plus the Pelicans potentially feeling pressured to save face and get rid of Davis sooner rather than later may entice them to take the best available player rather than wait for the best possible deal (Boston) in the offseason.

My Trade

Spurs Receive: Anthony Davis

Pelicans Receive: Lamarcus Aldridge, Bryn Forbes, 2nd Round Draft Pick

What is your ideal trade destination for The Brow?

Jake: Philadelphia. Now THIS is a juicy take (the salaries may not work - but this is my ideal trade).

Ben Simmons doesn't fit well on a Jimmy Butler led 76ers squad, it makes the most sense for Jimmy to re-sign and collect a nice payday. The floor spacing isn't good enough to compete with lengthier flame throwing teams and Philly are lacking shooting options on the floor and on the bench (outside of JJ Redick). Ben Simmons just doesn't fit with the style of offense this team are playing.

If the New Orleans Pelicans are trying to get the best package possible for Davis, and Philly views the Lakers as an immediate threat to sign him before the deadline, then I think this trade makes sense on both sides. Philly get the best frontcourt duo the NBA has ever seen to play alongside a prime Butler and a supporting cast built to win now. New Orleans get their star of the future in Ben Simmons who NEEDS his own team. Three things the Pelicans have that will help him thrive: a fast paced offense for him to get up and down the floor, a team with a need for a franchise face and an opportunity to boost his individual numbers to crazy levels, potentially giving him an opportunity to get onto All-NBA teams and All Star squads. It's a win-win for both sides.

My Trade

76ers Receive: Anthony Davis, Tim Frazier and Wesley Johnson.

Pelicans Receive: Ben Simmons, Markelle Fultz (small market, less attention and a fresh start) and 1st round pick.

Chad: I'm just gonna be honest here...I pray Simmons stays in Philly. I love him with Embiid. You have the stoic beast at point and the animated giant at center. I feel like they compliment each other in some great ways both in their play and their personalities. But I also pray Fultz finds his way to a new team so he can get the fresh start you mentioned.

But to the question, I would love to see Anthony Davis take his talents a ways away from Los Angeles or even Boston. No not the Vancouver Grizzlies. And while I'd consider the Seattle Supersonics I'll pass on them for now. I personally would love to see The Brow plastered on billboards, t-shirts (printed and sold by your favorite hoops bloggers *wink* *wink*), and headlining the final handful of games of the 2019 season at Sichuan Gymnasium. Yes, I want to see a groundbreaking international deal orchestrated by President Xi and he who-shall-not-be-named from the oval office that sends Anthony Davis to the Sichuan Blue Whales. Although mathematically eliminated from the CBA playoffs, the acquisition of Davis would instantly make the Whales a title contender. And that's what A.D. ultimately wants right? Rings, baby!

My Trade

Blue Whales Receive: Anthony Davis

Pelicans Receive: Jason Thompson, Jamaal Franklin, Xiaodong Chen, Chen Chen, Zhao Haikuo, The Head Coach, The Translator, and The Owner

Got your own theories? Dark horses? Let us know in the comments below.