The Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics, and New Orleans Pelicans have begun speaking on a three-team trade involving Anthony Davis, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
Celtics and Lakers are engaged in trade talks with New Orleans on All-NBA star Anthony Davis, league sources tell me, @ZachLowe_NBA, @ramonashelburne and @WindhorstESPN. Lakers No. 4 pick has been discussed as trade chip to help Pels acquire high-level player in multi-team deals.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 12, 2019
Wojnarowski is reporting that the Celtics have remained undeterred in their pursuit of Davis despite the claims from his camp that he'll be a one-year rental. Trading for Davis could also be a key to the Celtics keeping Kyrie Irving in Boston long-term.
So far, Boston has been undeterred in pursuing Davis — despite his agent insisting AD would be a 2020 flight risk in free agency. For Boston, Davis could still be its best case to keep Kyrie Irving. Story soon on https://t.co/XcwLHcsHad https://t.co/C9NwYJiObX
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 12, 2019
In addition to that, Wojnarowski cleared up the report by stating that both the Celtics and Lakers are working on independent deals to acquire Davis. Neither team has the intention of helping the other acquire Davis, so one team is going to come up short here.
To be clear, of course: The Celtics and Lakers are trying to negotiate independent deals with New Orleans for Anthony Davis. There's no spirit of cooperation here. The Lakers No. 4 pick would be used to acquire Davis in a multi-team deal that does NOT include Boston. https://t.co/C9NwYJiObX
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 12, 2019
The Lakers have the fourth overall pick and young players in Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, and Josh Hart. The Celtics, on the other hand, have three first round picks and a couple of young players that could intrigue New Orleans in Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum.
More to come…