If Anthony Davis leaves the New Orleans Pelicans, the Warriors and Kings could see a lot more of him.
The Los Angeles Lakers are one of five teams the superstar is considering joining "in the near and distant future," according to long-time NBA reporter Chris Sheridan. Davis, who a source told Sheridan lists "winning and being the best player on the floor every night," is also interested in the Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, and his current team in New Orleans.
Davis has a player option in 2020, but Sheridan reported that the Pelicans will "more likely than not" deal Davis before the February trade deadline if they're "middle-of-the-pack or worse" in the Western Conference. New Orleans entered Friday ninth in the Western Conference.
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The Celtics would be in the best position to trade for Davis, but the Lakers have their own collection of young players (Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram and Kyle Kuzma) who could interest the Pelicans. That might weaken the Lakers in the short term, but a 1-2 punch of Davis and LeBron James would cetainly rival the Warriors (when healthy). Plus, the uncertainty surrounding Kevin Durant's future means a Davis deal could potentially tip the scales in the Lakers' favor.
If Durant stays and Davis heads to Hollywood, the Pacific Division would arguably have the four best players in the NBA (Stephen Curry, Davis, Durant, and James in some order). The Kings' developing young core would face an uphill climb into the division's upper echelon playing one-tenth of their schedule against the loaded Warriors and Lakers.
But with neither the Warriors and Kings on Davis' reported list, they'll probably be happy to see him as far away from California as possible.
