Anthony Davis once looked like an ideal fit for the Boston Celtics and vice versa, but further indications are that the player just isn’t interested right now.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the New Orleans Pelicans have a short list of teams that Davis would be willing to consider an extension with if traded there. The Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks are said to be on the list, but the Celtics are not.
Beyond the Lakers and Knicks, the Pelicans have been made aware of "a handful" of teams that Anthony Davis would be willing to sign long-term with upon a trade, league sources tell ESPN. Boston isn't included on that list.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 4, 2019
Wojnarowski adds that Davis has no intention of signing a long-term deal anywhere this summer, preferring to put that off until the summer of 2020 when he can opt out of his current deal.
This could help open up marketplace on a trade for Davis between now and Thursday 3 p.m. deadline, creating stronger offers to Pels. No matter destination, Davis has no plans to sign extension this summer. The plan is signing a new deal in July of 2020, once he opts out. https://t.co/RWqXzaV4va
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 4, 2019
In other words, right now, Davis doesn’t view the Celtics as a viable long-term option. Perhaps it has to do with Kyrie Irving’s murky future, or perhaps it’s a matter of loyalty. It’s somewhat of a moot point as the Celtics cannot trade for Davis until summer under the “Rose rule,” but if they did make a move then, it appears they’d be gambling on the possibility of having him for a year and spending it trying to convince him that Boston is the long-term place for him. It worked for another team with a different star, but it may not with Davis.
