The Anthony Davis sweepstakes has come to a swift and rather predictable end, as ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the New Orleans Pelicans have traded the generational talent to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Josh Hart, Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram and three first-round picks (including the fourth overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft).
The Boston Celtics have been interested in acquiring Davis for years and were engaged with the Pelicans in trade talks as recently as this week. However, per the Boston Globe’s Adam Himmelsbach, there was never a time that the Celtics felt a deal for Davis was close.
That New Orleans traded The Brow to the Lakers — his preferred destination — likely means that Boston was unwilling to surrender rising star Jayson Tatum, whom Pelicans executive vice president David Griffin coveted in a trade package for Davis.
Davis will be a free agent after the 2019-20 season but, given the statements made by his father and his agent Rich Paul, it’s unlikely that he’ll bring his talents to Boston.
