NBA deadline day rumors: Anthony Davis wants to be a free agent in 2020

Anthony Davis has been the talk of the town ever since his agent Rich Paul declared that his client had put in a trade request at New Orleans Pelicans.

Multiple franchises have been wanting to secure the services of AD all through the season, but it wasn’t clear until Paul’s declaration as to what AD actually wanted to do.

LeBron and the Lakers have been actively trying to persuade AD to move to LA in order to help LeBron construct a dynasty at the Lakers.

However, despite a very tempting offer, the Pelicans refuse to budge and a trade to LA looks highly unlikely with just a few hours left for the trade deadline.

New Orleans GM Dell Demps has had no communication today with Lakers president Magic Johnson on LA’s most recent trade offer for Anthony Davis, league sources tell ESPN. Lakers running low on hope that Pelicans will engage them before Thursday’s 3 PM trade deadline.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 7, 2019

So on the Anthony Davis situation, if what we’re hearing is true, Pelicans did not negotiate in good faith, possibly with the goal of putting Kuzma, Ball, Ingram etc in trade rumors that would sabotage LA’s chemistry this season as revenge for AD’s trade request. This league, man

— Trevor Lane (@Trevor_Lane) February 7, 2019

Reports right after the Rich Paul declaration of the trade request had stated that Anthony Davis was only interested in being traded to the Lakers, and would consider every other franchise as only a rental option before embracing free agency in 2020.

Now, according to Marc Stein of the New York Times, Anthony Davis has absolutely no intention of staying long term with any franchise that he decides to move to(or is traded do).

Davis intends to play out his contract and then embrace free agency in 2020.

Anthony Davis has the Knicks on equal footing with the Lakers in terms of teams he is interested in signing with long-term, @NYTSports has learned. The Clippers and Bucks also remain preferred destinations on his list

— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 7, 2019

“And whether he is traded before Thursday’s 3 PM trade deadline or in the offseason, league sources say, Davis intends to play out the remainder of his current contract and become a free agent in 2020 no matter where he lands” Marc Stein has confirmed.

“Davis, I’m told, prefers becoming a free agent in July 2020 to signing an extension with any team that acquires him” he added.

And whether he is traded before Thursday’s 3 PM trade deadline or in the offseason, league sources say, Davis intends to play out the remainder of his current contract and become a free agent in 2020 no matter where he lands.

— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 7, 2019

Davis, I’m told, prefers becoming a free agent in July 2020 to signing an extension with any team that acquires him

— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 7, 2019

Boston Celtics has been ruled out as a long term option by Anthony Davis and his father, as they feel that there is no loyalty in the franchise. Knicks and the Lakers seem to be the only two long term options but at the moment, Davis is focussed only on the season and a half before the 2020 season.

Now, with Davis not wanting a long term deal at the moment, it could be foolish on Lakers’ part to do away with their entire core for a player who could leave at the end of the 2019-2020 season.

Maybe, Pelicans stalling on the deal works out for the best for the Lakers.