© Kyle Terada | 2019 Jan 16
Anthony Davis shook the NBA world on Monday morning, when Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported that Davis has told the New Orleans Pelicans that he won’t re-sign when his player option comes up in 2020, and that he’d like to be traded.
The Lakers and Knicks have already reportedly made offers for Davis in the hopes that New Orleans will look to part with him before the upcoming trade deadline.
Interestingly, the Warriors have reportedly kept tabs on the Davis situation for a few years, with some positing that they have always had a long-term plan to sign the MVP candidate when he becomes a free agent. Davis’ trade request might have thrown a wrench in those plans, but Bob Myers has pulled off shockers in the past.
One of those shockers involved signing Kevin Durant two offseasons ago. Durant knows all too well the criticism that comes with joining another team, and commented on Davis’ desire to leave the Pelicans at shootaround on Monday.
“AD wanted to play basketball somewhere else. It’s not like the president shutting down the government. It’s basketball,” Durant told Anthony Slater of The Athletic. “We all, as players, we want guys to do exactly what they want to do in this league. We have a short amount of time, so why not do what you want?”
Davis is eligible to sign a five-year, $240 million supermax extension this summer. Davis’ agent, Rich Paul, did not place pressure on the Pelicans to move Davis prior to next week’s trade deadline, according to Wojnarowski.