Report: Celtics were willing to discuss Tatum, Brown in Anthony Davis talks

The Boston Celtics were reportedly willing to discuss their most talented young players in an Anthony Davis trade, but many limitations prevented the team from pushing ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers in trade talks.

According to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, the Celtics were willing to at least discuss the likes of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Marcus Smart with the New Orleans Pelicans. However, they were unwilling to give up as much as the Lakers ultimately did, nor did they have the high draft pick that helped the Lakers clinch the deal.

There had been reports that Tatum, at least, was off the table in trade talks. This disputes that, but it’s easy to wonder how eager the Celtics were to trade prized assets like Tatum and Brown with no guarantee that Davis would stay more than a year, plus Kyrie Irving’s uncertain future.