Anthony Davis NBA Trade Odds: Lakers Favoured, Raptors a Longshot

Yet another NBA superstar has demanded a trade — could the Toronto Raptors actually land the New Orleans Pelicans’ Anthony Davis? Sports Interaction has odds on where Davis plays in the 2019-20 season.

NBA Trade Deadline Odds

This week in sports was supposed be dominated by the Super Bowl, but that game between the Patriots and Rams from Atlanta was overshadowed big time on Monday with the news that the agent for New Orleans Pelicans superstar Anthony Davis told the franchise that Davis would not be signing a maximum extension this summer and wanted a trade to somewhere he could compete for championships.

It’s now not a matter of whether the Pelicans will trade arguably the most talented player in the NBA but when. They can’t let him walk as a free agent after next season and get nothing. This year’s trade deadline is Feb. 7. It would be an upset for New Orleans to deal Davis by then because they need to do their homework big time and cause an all-out bidding war this summer.

There are 29 other teams in the league and they all will be calling the Pelicans. Players like the 25-year-old Davis, the former No. 1 overall pick out of Kentucky, come on the market like … almost never. On Basketball Reference’s all-time list of player efficiency rating, Davis is third behind Michael Jordan and LeBron James, only the two best players in history.

Toronto Raptors Trade Odds

We have to start with Toronto’s chances of getting Davis, and they aren’t great as the Raptors are priced at +1600 on where Davis plays next season. Team president Masai Ujiri already declared he was all-in for a title this season last July when he traded DeMar DeRozan, Jakob Poeltl and a potential first-round pick (that probably will be two seconds) to San Antonio for Kawhi Leonard. That deal has worked out brilliantly so far, but Leonard can still walk this summer as a free agent – and many believe he wants to play in his hometown of Los Angeles with the Clippers. If the Raptors win a title, it was still worth it – and maybe then Leonard stays

One thing to remember about NBA trades is the salaries nearly have to match. A trade of Serge Ibaka, OG Anunoby, rising star Pascal Siakam (no question the Pels would demand Siakam) and a first-round pick would work, for example. Again, though, the problem is that the Pelicans likely won’t be dealing Davis this season.

The Los Angeles Lakers are -110 favourites and it’s not a secret around the NBA that Davis would prefer to go play there with LeBron James. Davis’ agent is Rich Paul, who happens to be LeBron’s agent and best friend. Some believe Paul made this announcement now to essentially direct Davis to the Lakers, who have some intriguing young talent to offer the Pelicans. New Orleans can trade Davis wherever it wants, but Davis also can drive the narrative by saying he will only sign an extension with a certain team.

The Boston Celtics are +250 second-favorites and actually have the most to offer in terms of young talent and first-round picks. However, the Celtics can’t realistically deal for Davis until July 1. Why? It’s something called the “Rose Rule” in the CBA that doesn’t allow a team to have two “designated” players acquired via trade on its roster at the same time. Kyrie Irving is one of those currently on Boston, but he’s eligible for free agency this summer and then the Celtics could trade for Davis and re-sign Irving. It behooves the Pelicans to wait that long. In theory, the Celtics could trade Irving in any Davis deal now, but they have no interest in doing that and the Pelicans wouldn’t want a player on an expiring deal.

Anthony Davis Trade Predictions

He will be in the purple and gold of the Lakers to open the 2019-20 season.