Looks like Anthony Davis‘ tenure in New Orleans with the Pelicans is all but done, because his agent Rich Paul has dropped the bombshell on the NBA today.
ESPN has learned that Davis has requested a trade away from the Pels and told the organization he would not sign an extension with the team if offered. He has told teammates his intentions of staying there.
N.O. had the chance to offer The Brow a $240 million dollar extension this offseason, but considering the team has done nothing to try to bolster the squad around AD, he has had enough of losing and has requested a trade right before the deadline. Would the team do it? That’s up in the air.
Agent Rich Paul has notified the New Orleans Pelicans that All-NBA forward Anthony Davis has no intention of signing a contract extension if and when presented and that he has requested a trade, Paul told ESPN on Monday.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 28, 2019
Rich Paul to ESPN on a preferred destination for Anthony Davis: "Anthony wants to be traded to a team that allows him the chance to win consistently and compete for a championship."
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 28, 2019
On timing of telling Pelicans now, Rich Paul tells ESPN: "Anthony wanted to be honest and clear with his intentions and that's the reason for informing them of this decision now. That's in the best interests of both Anthony's and the organization's future."
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 28, 2019
This news comes only days after the Los Angeles Lakers put the entire team on the trade block and have speculated to be the franchise landing for his services for months.
The Boston Celtics have also been in talks to be all-in on AD, but they can’t make a move until the summer when Kyrie Irving‘s contract is eligible for a trade. They certainly have the most assets to offer the Pels in a trade.
It’ll be interesting to see what happens, but The Brow sweepstakes have commenced.
UPDATE: The New Orleans Pelicans have no plans of trading AD before the trade deadline, even though a number of teams like the New York Knicks, Lakers and Celtics are interested.
Sources: Should Lakers/Pelicans trade talks pick up, point guard Lonzo Ball's camp prefers Ball to be moved to a third team that doesn't have an established point guard.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 29, 2019
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