The agent for Anthony Davis seems to be trying every tactic possible to make the New Orleans Pelicans deal his client.
New York Times reporter Marc Stein on Wednesday evening shared information regarding Davis’ status. Stein said Davis likes the New York Knicks as much as the Los Angeles Lakers. He further reported that Davis plans to become a free agent in 2020 regardless of where he gets traded.
And whether he is traded before Thursday's 3 PM trade deadline or in the offseason, league sources say, Davis intends to play out the remainder of his current contract and become a free agent in 2020 no matter where he lands.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 7, 2019
Davis, I'm told, prefers becoming a free agent in July 2020 to signing an extension with any team that acquires him
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 7, 2019
Sources say Davis, meanwhile, remains adamant that he will not sign a long-term deal with Boston if the Celtics trade for him in July and that he would like to play out the rest of the season for the Pelicans if there's no trade by tomorrow's deadline
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 7, 2019
If all of this were true, and Davis plans to explore free agency anyway in 2020, then why is he trying to push for a trade? Is he that desperate to be a rental player? And if he wanted a trade to the Lakers but doesn’t plan to sign an extension with them, then why does he want a trade there? None of this adds up.
Davis’ agent Rich Paul seems to have tried to orchestrate a plan to get Davis on the Los Angeles Lakers with his superstar client, LeBron James. The Pelicans aren’t happy about that and aren’t engaging with the Lakers on trade talks. Meanwhile, the young Lakers checked out due to the trade rumors, and the whole plan is blowing up in Paul and Davis’ face.
This seems like a last second desperation heave by Paul to drive down Davis’ perceived trade value. Maybe they’re thinking if they can somehow convince New Orleans that Davis will only stay with the team that acquires him for 1.5 seasons, the Pelicans won’t hold out for a huge return in a Davis trade and potentially take what the Lakers have on the table.
