The New Orleans Pelicans were hopeful that they could convince Anthony Davis to stick around after they landed the top overall pick in the NBA Draft, but they appear to have accepted they are going to have to part ways with the star big man sooner rather than later.
Shams Charania of The Athletic reports that new Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin has begun listening to trade offers for Davis. While Davis is said to have had a “respectful and productive meeting” with Griffin and other Pelicans executives last week, he made it clear that his desire to be traded remains.
Rival executives expect the Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets to make the most enticing offers to New Orleans, according to Charania. Griffin will have the option of either trading Davis this summer or waiting until next February’s trade deadline, but the 26-year-old can opt out of his contract and become a free agent following next season. The return may be greater this summer than it would be midseason, so Griffin would likely only wait if he still has hope that Davis will change his mind.
There has been talk about the Pelicans refusing to talk about a Davis trade with at least one rival team, but team owner Gayle Benson recently said there is no truth to that. Griffin, a notoriously savvy executive who helped the Cleveland Cavaliers win a championship with LeBron James, should have no problem creating a bidding war for one of the best players in the NBA.
