The Celtics and Lakers are engaged in trade talks with the Pelicans for star Anthony Davis, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Wednesday.
Celtics and Lakers are engaged in trade talks with New Orleans on All-NBA star Anthony Davis, league sources tell me, @ZachLowe_NBA, @ramonashelburne and @WindhorstESPN. Lakers No. 4 pick has been discussed as trade chip to help Pels acquire high-level player in multi-team deals.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 12, 2019
Earlier in the day, Davis' agent Rich Paul made it clear his client does not see a long-term future in Boston and will not sign a contract extension when his deal expires in 2020. That doesn't appear to have scared off the C's, who certainly have the assets to get a deal done.
Wojnarowski also states acquiring Davis could give Boston the best chance at retaining Kyrie Irving, who is set to hit unrestricted free agency on June 30.
So far, Boston has been undeterred in pursuing Davis -- despite his agent insisting AD would be a 2020 flight risk in free agency. For Boston, Davis could still be its best case to keep Kyrie Irving. Story soon on https://t.co/XcwLHcsHad https://t.co/C9NwYJiObX
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 12, 2019
If you were wondering whether this means the Celtics and Lakers would work together to get Davis to Boston or L.A., that is not the case. They're negotiating separate deals, and if the Lakers part ways the No. 4 pick for Davis, it won't be in a deal with the C's.
To be clear, of course: The Celtics and Lakers are trying to negotiate independent deals with New Orleans for Anthony Davis. There's no spirit of cooperation here. The Lakers No. 4 pick would be used to acquire Davis in a multi-team deal that does NOT include Boston. https://t.co/C9NwYJiObX
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 12, 2019
Along with the No. 4 pick, Marc Stein of the New York Times reports the Lakers are making Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball available in a potential deal.
The Lakers have made Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball and the No. 4 pick in the June 20 draft available in trade talks with the Pelicans, league sources say. New Orleans has made it known it hope to assemble a three-teams-or-more deal before surrendering Anthony Davis
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 12, 2019
It is notable that the Celtics still wouldn't be able to officially trade for Anthony Davis until after July 1, as ESPN's Bobby Marks points out. Still, the team could agree on the framework for a deal in the coming weeks.
Boston is still not allowed to do a Davis trade until after July 1 because of the Designated Rookie Extension Rule. Kyrie Irving is not a free agent until June 30 @ 6PM EST. Both sides can negotiate a framework of a deal and verbally agree.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) June 12, 2019
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