Odds Say Anthony Davis Will Not Be a Pelican Game 1 of 2019-20 NBA Season

• Anthony Davis averaged 25.9 points per game and 12.0 rebounds last season
• He requested a trade from the New Orleans Pelicans
• His preferred destination is the Los Angeles Lakers, but the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks are expected to join the trade talks
  

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The New Orleans Pelicans were the big winners at the 2019 NBA Draft Lottery, landing the first overall pick.

Despite the news that Duke Forward Zion Williamson will be bringing his talents to NOLA sportsbooks don’t think it will help keep Anthony Davis with the team.

Will Anthony Davis Be on the Pelicans for Game 1 of the 2019-20 Season?

*Odds taken 05/15/19

Davis wanting out of New Orleans isn’t the worst kept secret in basketball. In fact, it’s not even a secret at all. He publicly demanded a trade and embarrassed both himself and the franchise wearing a goofy t-shirt in the teams finale that said “That’s All Folks!”

Could the arrival of the biggest NBA prospect since LeBron James (yes even bigger than Davis) change things? Sure it could, but I don’t think it will.

Anthony Davis' stance on being traded has not changed after the Pelicans won No. 1 overall pick, per @ShamsCharania pic.twitter.com/PkWv81twe5

— Bleacher Report NBA (@BR_NBA) May 15, 2019

Davis Wants a Change of Scenery

It seemed like Davis was trying to push his way to the Los Angeles Lakers to play alongside James in the middle of this year and there’s little indication that desire has changed. He’s played seven seasons in one of the league’s smallest markets on a losing team and appears to be dead set on changing that.

Davis has played seven seasons in one of the league’s smallest markets on a losing team and appears to be dead set on changing that.

He also has more leverage here than it appears. With all of the positive momentum being built in New Orleans they definitely won’t want to let him walk as an unrestricted free agent next summer. The team also understands that making a mid-season move is risky and could limit suitors, so if Davis doesn’t publicly change his tune I’d imagine he’s all but gone.

“[David Griffin] wants to convince Anthony Davis to stay with the Pelicans … his model right now is Oklahoma City with Paul George … their mode in New Orleans is to keep Anthony Davis.” per @wojespn. pic.twitter.com/2P92wYMvSu

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 15, 2019

It makes all the sense in the world for the Pelicans to try and convince him to stay and pair up with Williamson, but I think his mind is made up and no heart-to-heart with management will change that.

More Teams Can Now Enter the Sweepstakes

One of the reasons this move wasn’t made during the season was the lack of trade partners. A rule in the CBA prohibited Boston from making an offer until Kyrie Irving became a free agent, which will happen shortly.

Other teams now have more assets to work with as well. The New York Knicks could offer up the third overall pick in a trade, and the Lakers are still hungry for Davis as well. With the possibility of a bidding war now more than likely, I think the chances of Davis being traded become even greater.

"If you're Anthony Davis, you are right now in the heart of the prime of your career. You can go play on an instant contender, or you can help build a contender with Zion. I would prefer the former rather than the latter." — @getnickwright pic.twitter.com/wL4CphLAqG

— First Things First (@FTFonFS1) May 15, 2019

Talking heads in the media can use logic all they like, but this Davis situation seems to be beyond that at this point. He wants out and they can add a boatload of great young pieces around Zion Williamson, including possibly his Duke teammate RJ Barrett if they make a deal with the Knicks.

The price tag also provides some value as well with -200 being more than enough to keep me siding with the fact I think Davis will be shipped out.

Pick: No (-200)