All-Star center Anthony Davis implied Saturday he’d be content if the New Orleans Pelicans traded him to Boston, despite the Celtics not being on a list of preferred teams reported earlier this month.
Davis, through his agent, has said he won’t sign a supermax deal with the Pelicans when he hits free agency next summer. The list of teams he’d agree to a long-term deal with was believed to be the Milwaukee Bucks, New York Knicks and both Los Angeles teams.
But Saturday, in his all-star media availability, Davis told reporters Boston could be a destination.
“I never said Boston wasn’t on my list,” Davis said.
Davis’ agent, Rich Paul, announced last month Davis’ wish to be traded. Paul is also the agent of Lakers star LeBron James and the belief was Davis was trying to force a trade to the Lakers. The two sides couldn’t agree on a deal.
Boston had to sit out the sweepstakes for Davis, however, because they could not trade for him before July 1 because of NBA contractual rules.
Earlier this month, Anthony Davis Sr. said he didn’t want his son to play for the Celtics because he perceived the franchise to be disloyal, citing their trade of point guard Isaiah Thomas as the reason.
Davis is in his seventh NBA season, all with New Orleans, and turns 26 next month. In 45 games this season, Davis is averaging 28.1 points, 12.9 rebounds, 2.5 blocks and 4.2 assists. All are above his career averages.
–Field Level Media
