Anthony Davis' intentions have become fully clear to teams interested in acquiring him from the New Orleans Pelicans — they will all be one-year rentals unless their name is the Los Angeles Lakers. ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski and Zach Lowe said in his latest report that teams have been in full fact-finding mode in the last few days, and that it's become evident that “Davis' plan is to treat any trade destination as a one-year stop — except, of course, the Lakers.”
“Teams are learning that Davis' stated intention will be to play the season elsewhere if traded outside of the Lakers, but move to the Lakers as a free agent in 2020.”
Agent Rich Paul opened the door to that message when he went public with Davis' request, giving the Lakers a head start in the race and locking the Boston Celtics out of putting Davis and Kyrie Irving in the same roster until July 1.
Teams are curious if the Lakers-or-bust stance will soften once the Feb. 7 trade deadline passes, and the need to find a home for Davis becomes imminent.
The Celtics will be reportedly fearless in pursuit of Davis, part due to Davis' acquisition could represent a direct tie to Kyrie Irving deciding to remain with the team at the end of the season. Irving would be signed to a fat free agent contract while Davis remains on his for another year before being able to opt out of it and sign his own long-term deal in the summer of 2020.
Though if his intentions are sincere, Boston and any other team successful in trading for him, could risk him walking away and signing with the Lakers, though he's likely to only get the last few years of a LeBron James whose body has slowed down after battling a groin injury for more than a month.
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