Anthony Davis is still the NBA's great big trade obsessionhttp://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/21806622/anthony-davis-nba-great-big-trade-obsession-adrian-wojnarowski"All Anthony Davis wants to do is win, but where will that happen?"It's a good read, and a deep article with a lot of insight, quotes, etc. A lot of it talks about how AD takes it hard at times when people think he "isn't a winner" due to not making playoffs at times, and he talks about how life is like with the Pelicans, with Cousins, his goals, etc.
But the part I found interesting in all this was the part about Boston, which Woj actually talks in great detail about.
Apparently, the C's were extremely high on trading for AD earlier, and apparently, still are (maybe as the "end goal" next summer?)
Here is the bit in the article:
Davis remains an obsession of several NBA teams full of the necessary trade assets to unfasten him from New Orleans, should the Pelicans ever consider a rebuild --- or should Davis ever request a trade. Boston has remained vigilant on the possibility of acquiring Davis, and Davis knows it. However, the Pelicans have no intention of trading an all-world talent under contract through 2021, no matter the return.
Before the Cousins trade a year ago, though, Davis kept hearing talk of the Celtics trying to trade for him. He walked into GM Dell Demps' office and asked about it.
"He told me that [Boston] was calling, but nothing was going to happen," Davis said. "At the same time, though, you see how organizations treat players. Isaiah Thomas. DeMarcus [Cousins] told me that the [Kings] told him that he wasn't going to get traded, but they traded him. Isaiah took his team to the Eastern Conference finals, and they traded him.
"It makes you wonder: Does this organization really have my back? I've been loyal to this organization. I love it here. I love this team. I think we're moving in the right direction. DeMarcus, Rondo, some other players that are helping us, but people get judged on winning. And I want to win.
"It's not about the money. It's not about having fans. The most important thing to me: winning. That's what I want to do. And I want to do it here."
Honestly, the part about Isaiah Thomas is kind of a bummer. It may have been the right move long-term, but it also brings a lot of question about loyalty and emotions into this (as Jaylen also mentioned earlier in the season). AD mentions it as well here.
Frankly, I've kind of soured on the idea of acquiring AD, as great as he is. The "earliest" we could get him is this summer or next year's deadline (especially if he demands out), but
to me, he seems kind of injury prone now, and it will be extremely difficult to match salaries w/o including Horford (and I don't want to trade him away for several reasons). Plus.. NOP will understandably ask for BOTH Jaylen/Tatum, which is a big no-no.
Maybe if their price lowers a bit and they only take back Jaylen of the two, then sure, but matching salaries will still be an issue I believe. Anyways, it was kind of a boring morning and I just came across this article. Thought I'd share. What do you guys think? To me at least, it is telling that the Celtics are STILL looking into the AD sweepstakes, even if that won't be until next summer/season. Ainge's end goal here?
Now obviously, as the article states, the Pelicans have zero intention of trading him now (trade deadline), but maybe later on especially if AD might demand out.