Anthony Davis reportedly wouldn’t completely rule out staying with the Boston Celtics without Kyrie Irving, but the “odds of him re-upping in that scenario are significantly lower,” according to David Aldridge of The Athletic.
The New Orleans Pelicans will likely hear from the Celtics this summer in regards to a Davis trade. Once Irving opts out of his 2019-20 player option with Boston, the team becomes eligible to acquire Davis.
I’ve heard that Davis wouldn’t completely rule out staying with the Celtics without Irving, but the odds of him re-upping in that scenario are significantly lower.
Davis can become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2020. He requested a trade from the Pelicans near the February trade deadline, but New Orleans opted not to trade him then.
The Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks and Celtics are all expected to contact the Pelicans this summer. Many believe Boston has the best assets to acquire Davis. Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum and all of the picks they have could get a deal done with New Orleans.
Irving said at the beginning of the season he wanted to re-sign with the Celtics, but after the dysfunctional season that Boston just had, Irving could look to leave town.
Uncle Drew, though, might change his mind if the Celtics acquire Davis.