Anthony Davis Requests a Trade (Finally)

Anthony Davis has requested a trade from the crappy franchise known as the New Orleans Pelicans. Finally after years of mediocrity and terrible management, Davis has decided he’s had enough and wants out.

What a surprise!

I just hope the Pelicans don’t trade AD now when they can wait another year and possibly improve their team enough to convince him to stay. This situation is very similar to the Kyrie Irving situation a few years back. Kyrie requested a trade so the Cavs traded him even though they had a ton of leverage could have waited a year for him to fix his broken relationship with Lebron. You know what the Cavs got from that trade? Isaiah Thomas coming off a back injury, a first round pick from the Nets (the Nets improved so this pick was lower than expected), and a random center from overseas. This trade sucked then and it sucks now.

The Pelicans need to either make a trade that is fantastic now or wait until next season and see if Anthony Davis still wants out. All they need to do is just don’t be the Cavs. You know that’s honestly great advice. If you are ever in doubt about what you should do in a situation just think what would David Griffin do and then do the complete opposite. While we are here we might as well look at some trade scenarios for Anthony Davis.

Los Angeles Lakers: Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma, Lonzo Ball, Lance Stephenson (for cap), Ivica Zubac, and two unprotected first round picks

Nick Wright brought up this trade on Twitter and it is insane.. I think this is the worst trade of all the possibilities because other teams can offer better players and picks than the Lakers can. Although this is the worst trade, this is a lot for the Lakers to give up even for a player of AD’s caliber. The Lakers would have trade their entire young core. If I am the Pelican’s GM I take this deal no questions asked if it is the only deal I have and it’s not necessary to wait. In this scenario You cut Lance Stephenson (I’m sorry I still love you Lance) and then you have three good young players to build your team around and two unprotected first round picks. If I’m the Lakers I take Kuzma out of this trade because a trio of Lebron, Kuzma, Anthony Davis + a roster of solid role players after one free agency session might be enough to take down the Golden State Demigods. We should actually start a petition for the Warriors to change their team name to the Demigods now that I think about it.

Boston Celtics: Jaylen Brown, Gordon Hayward, and two unprotected first round picks

The Celtics have the best assets to make a deal for Anthony Davis. They could offer a package of young players including Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart, and Gordon Hayward for Davis and get a deal done that increases their chance at a title. The only problem is the Celtics can’t trade for AD until Kyrie Irving opts out or gets traded. The Pelicans would love to make a deal with the Celtics, but a trade seems unlikely right now.

Philadelphia 76ers: Ben Simmons

Personally I don’t love Ben Simmons. I think his inability to shoot will make it hard for any team he is on to win a championship. However; I think Simmons is a great young player that the Pelicans could build their franchise around. If I’m Philly I accept this trade immediately. Just imagine a trio of Jimmy Butler, Joel Embiid, and Anthony Davis. Yes please I’ll gladly take Davis off your hands.

The Pelicans would most likely wait for a year unless they get a trade offer that is too good to turn down. It seems like the Lakers are willing to trade their entire young core right now to get Davis before the trade deadline. If I had to make a guess, I would say the Lakers are most likely to get AD right now. They have an amazing offer available immediately that the Pelicans might just have to take. If the Pelicans wait then the Knicks would have a great chance to acquire AD next season. Where Davis lands depends on whether or not the Pelicans wait a year or not to make a move.