Pairing AD with King James automatically changes the balance of power in the West.
The frightening notion that New Orlean Pelicans superstar Anthony Davis would continue his career with the New Orleans Pelicans past his 2020 free agency ended today as ESPN reports that Davis has informed the team that he has no intention of re-signing with them and is requesting a trade.
SportsCenter on Twitter
Breaking: Anthony Davis’ agent Rich Paul has told the Pelicans that Davis has no intention of signing a contract extension and has requested a trade. (via @wojespn)
When Anthony Davis dropped his agent and joined LeBron James’ agent Rich Paul of Klutch Sports in September, speculation was rampant about the move being a prerequisite to a trade that lands “The Brow” alongside King James in LA.
The internet went crazy, but most insiders dismissed it as Davis making a power move and trying to upgrade his brand to the fullest. The 25-year-old, seven-year vet is in his prime and he doesn’t want to waste it.
Today’s announcement makes theorists like ESPN’s Jalen Rose look like a prophet.
Jalen Rose on Twitter
Anthony Davis requests a trade from the Pelicans. #brokennews https://t.co/IN0lKXNg6R
“Anthony wants to be traded to a team that allows him a chance to win consistently and compete for a championship,” Paul told 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.”
Davis is eligible to sign a five-year, $240 million supermax extension this summer. He will become a free agent in the summer of 2020. New Orleans has expressed no desire to trade him before the Feb. 7 trade deadline, so now the chess game begins.
We’ve seen it so frequently with NBA superstars in the past few years. Kyrie Irving forced his way to Boston. Kawhi forced his hand to Toronto. Carmelo Anthony’s been passed around by so many teams that his season looks like a Wiz Khalifa cipher.
Davis is obviously trying to make that power move to LA. That was the master plan all along for LeBron and his team.
OLDSKOOLBBALL on Twitter
LeBron James On Anthony Davis Joining Lakers “I Would Love To Play With Alot Of Great Players” (CliveNBAParody on YT) https://t.co/Trqx9jegts
Pairing AD with King James automatically changes the balance of power in the West. That move make them a Damian Lillard short of rising to the top of the Conference. With the Golden State Warriors facing contract challenges on the horizon, now is the time to pair the two All-NBA players, as the Golden State team as we know it begins to transform.
Klay Thompson and Draymond Green may be bouncing in the near future. Boogie Cousins probably isn’t going to stay. The future of the Warriors is not concrete, but the Lakers could solidify theirs — even in the post-LeBron Era – if they can land AD.
On January 4th, I wrote an article, “Pelicans Should Do Anthony Davis A Kevin Garnett Solid,” suggesting that New Orleans needs to give AD the same trade that Minnesota gave Garnett before he went to the Celtics, formed The Big Three and became an NBA Champion.
New Orleans probably won’t be that generous unless there’s a trade deal that knocks them off their feet and provides the franchise with all-star level players and a rich draft pick. That doesn’t mean it can’t happen. What was once fodder for sportstalk shows, is very feasible at this point.
The struggle for the emancipation of Anthony Davis begins. I know you didn’t think LeBron and Magic were going to take a shot in the dark in free agency. It appears as if they had a plan all along.
