When he was interviewed in Charlotte this past weekend about his list of preferred destinations, Anthony Davis said that the Celtics are on that list: “I never said they weren’t on my list.”
However, Davis subsequently added that all 29 teams outside of New Orleans are on his list, which somewhat diminished the impact of him specifically including Boston. Now, Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium (video link) is reporting that the C’s may not really be on Davis’ short list.
“I’m still told his four-team list of the Lakers, Clippers, Knicks, [and] Bucks still exists in that order,” Charania said. “… There are a couple other teams – undisclosed right now – that he would also consider. The Celtics, I’m told, are still not a long-term destination for him in his mind. Where the Celtics stand has not changed despite what Anthony Davis said over the weekend.”
It’s hard to know exactly what to make of Davis’ comments at All-Star Weekend – which were a little all over the place, as Sean Deveney of Sporting News outlines – and Charania’s latest report. The long-term appeal of the Celtics for Davis will likely hinge in large part on whether or not Kyrie Irving sticks around, so AD’s camp might be hedging its bets to prepare for either outcome.
In any case, Davis’ wish list may ultimately not matter a whole lot, as the Pelicans plan to negotiate with any team that wants to get involved in the offseason — not just the four teams Davis views as potential long-term homes.
Here’s more on the Celtics:
- In a conversation with ESPN’s Rachel Nichols (video link), Kyrie Irving spoke about the Celtics’ up-and-down season, his phone call to LeBron James, and whether his upcoming free agency is a distraction. He was also asked whether he agreed with Marcus Morris‘ contention that it hasn’t been a “fun” season in Boston. “It’s been a trying year for us,” Irving said. “We basically have a bunch of young men in our locker room that feel like they’re capable of doing a lot more than what they’re doing. And that’s okay. But there’s a maturity that you have to have, there’s a professionalism that you have to really showcase every single day, and that’s what the great ones do.”
- A major player in those Davis trade rumors, Jayson Tatum told ESPN at All-Star weekend that he’d like to play for the Celtics for his entire NBA career. In order to achieve that goal, he may have to prove his value in the coming months, showing why Danny Ainge and the C’s shouldn’t include him in an offer for AD, writes Chris Forsberg of NBC Sports Boston.
- In a separate story for NBC Sports Boston, Forsberg makes the case that the 2018/19 Celtics are a legit contender worthy of fans’ complete attention — even if offseason speculation about Irving, Davis, and the team’s future seems more exciting at the moment.
I think in the long run Tatum will be a home groomed talent Boston hasn’t seen since Pierce & it would in best interest for the Celtics to keep him. AD would be a great addition but definitely not giving just about all of our assets for a rental. Chemistry is what matters
They have an amazing core, they really shouldn’t break it up. Bring in some more good young players and continue to build.
Kyrie is signing with the Pistons and joining Blake and Drummond.
Impossible but ok
And your source is? Did you play thru a full season of NBA 2K already to predict that?
If he played thru a full season of 2k he’d find out that that’s impossible lol.
I think the problem in Boston is that Irving thinks of himself as the leader of this team, and the rest of the team thinks they don’t even need him since they got a game away from the finals
Nailed it. I really wouldn’t have minded if the Cs had traded him at the deadline. In fact, I almost wish they would’ve
That would have been a great move by Ainge. He gave up practically nothing for him and would’ve got a ton more assets. Should’ve sent him to the Knicks for Porzingis, Mudiay(to back up Rozier) and 1st rounder or 2. Might have had to take Kanter to make the money work but he could’ve been Baynes back up. Next year they would have Rozier,Brown,Hayward, Tatum, and the Zinger plus more picks.
Exactly
I believe the biggest point AD is making, is that he is going to experience free agency next summer regardless. So every team even the Lakers should be on warning that it’s no lock for him to stay with whoever gets him. I would be hesitant to give up a kings ransom for a guy who knows he wants to look around next summer. Pels should have felt him before he made the comment that he is going to explore free agency no matter what.
Zack Randolph would be a nice addition to backup Baynes who is hurt almost every week.
lol @ shams