The New Orleans Pelicans aren't obligated to meet Anthony Davis' trade wishes. However, if Davis is unwilling to sign an extension with 28 of the 29 potential suitors, he can essentially force his way to the team of his choosing.
As expected, it is believed that Davis' preference is the Los Angeles Lakers.
Davis recently informed the Pelicans that he would not be signing a five-year, $240 million supermax extension this summer and has therefore requested a trade. The All Star center is due to become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2020, so any team interested in making a trade for him would likely need assurance that he'd sign with them in the future.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the Lakers are really pushing to get a deal done for Davis prior to the league's February 7 trade deadline, which would prevent the Boston Celtics from getting involved in the bidding. Due to the "Rose Rule," the Celtics cannot trade for Davis until July 1 because league rules wouldn't allow Irving's and Davis' contracts under the provision on the roster together.
The Pelicans' released a statement regarding the Davis situation, which reads:
"This past weekend, Anthony Davis' representatives informed us that Anthony does not wish to sign a contract extension with our team and subsequently has requested a trade. Although we are disappointed in this decision our organization's top priority is to bring an NBA championship to our city and fans build our team for long-term success.
Relative to specific talks of a trade, we will do this on our timeline. One that make sense for our team and it will not be dictated by those outside of our organization. We have also requested the League to strictly enforce the tampering rules associated with this transaction."
Davis, averaging 29.3 points and 13.3 rebounds per game, is currently sidelined with a "volar plate avulsion fracture" of his left index finger, but he could return to the lineup as early as Saturday.
