Odds Suggest Anthony Davis Will Not Be Traded to the Lakers Before the Deadline

• LeBron James’ comments about Anthony Davis have stoked rumors of a trade to LA
• The odds still lean on Davis not becoming a Laker before the deadline
• What’s the best wager to make on Davis’ future?

Welcome to the latest edition of “As the ‘Brow Turns.”

This week, the impending relocation of Pelicans star Anthony Davis, one of the best young players in the league, appears to be to the Lakers, aided by the comments of LeBron James.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BrmAirKgFhF/

Oddsmakers are not going to just let that slide, so they’ve dropped some odds on this happening. Let’s dissect.

Odds Anthony Davis Will Be Dealt to the Lakers Before the NBA Trade Deadline

Anthony Davis Not Interested in All the Rumors

When Davis says he wants to succeed in New Orleans, it genuinely sounds like he means it.

"Obviously, it's cool to hear any high-caliber player say they want to play with me. But my job is to turn this team around."

Anthony Davis says he's flattered by LeBron James' remarks but he's focused on the Pelicans: https://t.co/d0NrCDLSGT pic.twitter.com/0Su9JwDfP7

— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) December 20, 2018

Maybe he is getting some really good mentoring on how to handle this type of situation, but it’s a fair claim to make that Davis, of all people, knows what the stakes are if he bolts from New Orleans.

The franchise would be on wildly shaky ground, and just a little tilt to the left or right, and NBA basketball would cease to exist.

Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry was clear tonight on speculation on his star's future: "We’re not trading him. I can say that to the world. We’re not gonna trade him, no matter what. That’s not an option. It doesn’t matter what anybody says or does. We’re not trading Anthony Davis."

— Steve Aschburner (@AschNBA) December 20, 2018

And perhaps that’s why, along with this rumor, the Pelicans are involved in any potential deals that could somehow bring the Pelicans the support they need to get back into the playoff picture, and show AD the infrastructure is there to stay with the only franchise he’s ever known, and sign the super max extension.

Kent Bazemore, Justin Holiday, DeMarre Carroll, Stanley Johnson, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and J.R. Smith are among the wing players on the New Orleans Pelicans’ radar, per the Athletic and Basketball Insiders

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) December 20, 2018

How far is Pelicans’ GM Dell Demps willing to go? He’s reportedly trying to squeeze what’s left out of an all-NBA career, in the hopes he can catch lightning in a bottle to team with Davis and Jrue Holliday.

The New Orleans Pelicans and Houston Rockets have discussed a Carmelo Anthony trade. Current format is Melo, Brandon Knight and a 2nd Round pick for Solomon Hill .

— Draft HD (@drafthd2) December 16, 2018

Can Pelicans Survive Life Without AD?

The answer is yes, but if they are going to deal him, they absolutely can’t mess this up. However, if they’re banking on keeping him and lose him for nothing, that might be all she wrote.

In terms of assets, the Boston Celtics are flush with whatever you might need to bring AD in – except time. It’s an interesting wrinkle that actually has Danny Ainge hamstrung to make a trade, which is why the timing of LeBron and LA jumping into the picture right now makes a lot of sense on their side.

It’s just that, the Lakers can offer some great assets – any two of the three of Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart and Brandon Ingram (I think LA would prefer Kyle Kuzma be left off this deal) plus draft picks – but are any of those players close to a window of an All-NBA level?

While the Lakers are available for a deal now, it comes with a massive risk, and I don’t know if that’s a gamble New Orleans wants to make – at least, not unless Davis tells the Pels to deal him to the Lakers.

What’s the Best Bet?

I think the Pelicans need to at least wait to see what Boston is willing to offer – who knows if Jayson Tatum and a potential no. 1 overall draft pick could be in the mix – before making any moves.

While I would love to see NOLA with Davis long term, I don’t see any way they can improve the roster to be title contender-worthy in time. I think AD is moved, but I would wager that it doesn’t happen before the trade deadline.