The New Orleans Pelicans All-Star center Anthony Davis is a force to be reckoned with. His ability to dominate his opponents in the paint is not recognizable in today’s average big man. However, despite his 29.3 points per game average, the center has made it clear that he wants more than stats.
Davis has stated that he wants to be on a championship contending team. In his time as a Pelican, the team has struggled to make it anywhere in the playoffs. In fact, he has yet to see past the second round. Davis hopes to leave a legacy, and with the five time All–Star in his prime, now is the time.
Following last season, then power forward Demarcus Cousins left New Orleans to play as a center with the Golden State Warriors, in pursuit of his first NBA Finals win. Aspiring for rings over money and city loyalty isn’t new in the player driven league. With teams forming to fight off the overpowered Golden State Warriors, All–Stars from across the league are coming together to form teams that can contend for the title.
With Davis wanting to move to an already established team, there are only a few options that make sense. Rumors around the trade market in the last few days indicate the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics are the frontrunners for landing Davis. Both teams need one last piece, and would surely like to sign the athletic big man to a long term deal at the end of the season, if not sooner.
The Celtics are a team with more than enough talent this season and with everyone healthy it is almost certain that they will have a high chance of making a playoff appearance for the East. With Davis on the team they would have a chance of stopping Warriors’ Kevin Durant or Draymond Green. The only problem with this theory is that the Celtics can’t sign until July. With the Celtics trading for Kyrie, the team must wait for July 1 before they can acquire Davis due to the Rose Rule.
Another problem with the Celtics is Anthony Davis Sr. In a statement with ESPN he said, “I would never want my son to play for Boston after what they done to Isaiah Thomas. No loyalty. Guy gives his heart and soul and they traded him.”
The other team that would make sense is the aforementioned Lakers. Although the team doesn’t have as many names, it has the name. LeBron James is a force from outside the arc and in the paint. LeBron has showed interest in Davis being moved to the Lakers. This would certainly put James back into the running for a championship, as well as cement himself in the Hall of Fame if a ring or two could be acquired.
Despite all this, the hardest teams to beat would be in the Western Conference Finals, meaning that it wouldn’t be as easy for Davis to compete for his ring. Not only that, but LeBron has shown the first signs of age slowing him down while the Lakers lack developing young players. If Davis were to go there he would need to make the most of his first few years and rally a strong team around him.
Although we don’t know where Davis will go, it is certain that he will be leaving this summer. This move could change the entire balance of the NBA or just shift things a little. Big things are going to be happening, and the Warriors reign may come to an end sooner than expected.
