Pelicans and Celtics seem determined to make Anthony Davis deal this summer

[nolang1]

This is pretty dumb of the Pelicans to wait. If the Celtics flame out in the playoffs Tatum's value will take a hit to the point that it's debatable as to whether their offer is better than the Lakers' offer (plus it would make Kyrie more likely to leave, and then AD would just be a rental). If they make the Finals, then obviously one or more of their players would have taken a leap to the point that they wouldn't want to mess with what they've got going.

[nolang1]

From my perspective it seems like the Pelicans are just waiting to see who gets the #1 pick. They couldn't get much local interest even with AD and are banking on Zion to fill the seats for them.

[Froob]

Why would you trust any guarantee from Lyin' Danny anyway?

Who did he lie to? Danny never makes any guarantees. Has always said everyone is available.

[Black Jack]

Remember that phone call from Pop to Demps?

Also remember that the entire league thinks LeBron went in through back channels and engineered this for his own benefit. So you know what? If I am the Pelicans and I think that's true I am telling him to go bleep himself too. Nobody messes around with my franchise and gets to benefit from it.

Meanwhile Ainge's stubborn refusal to move any of his rapidly declining assets is about to blow up in his face, so if he's not going to get desperate now he may see his best laid plans implode.

Here's what I am curious about: the Knicks could have a real shot at the #1 pick, they have immense contract space to absorb A.D....it might be the single most valuable asset available to the Pels. And it might bring others in tow in FA.

Just for the lulz I want to see Ainge empty his clip for AD then AD leave to sign with LAL after one year.

[Pointgod]

I’m going to laugh when Celtics offer Smart, Brown and two first round picks in the 20’s. Dell Demps is getting played right now.

[Black Jack]

This is pretty dumb of the Pelicans to wait. If the Celtics flame out in the playoffs Tatum's value will take a hit to the point that it's debatable as to whether their offer is better than the Lakers' offer (plus it would make Kyrie more likely to leave, and then AD would just be a rental). If they make the Finals, then obviously one or more of their players would have taken a leap to the point that they wouldn't want to mess with what they've got going.

You don't have to go any further than the fact that NOP front office is deciding to TRUST DANNY AINGE on this one

It's like leaving your small pet lamb for safe keeping at a wolf sanctuary.

[mtron929]

I’m going to laugh when Celtics offer Smart, Brown and two first round picks in the 20’s. Dell Demps is getting played right now.

If that is the offer, someone else is beating it and Ainge might get fired for his stupidity. Ainge is not going to be stingy when he realizes that he can get a top 3-5 player in his prime.

[Joshyjess]

Actually, Ainge could be doing another team a big favor here. By keeping NO on the hook, and keeping LA from making a deal now, other teams (not just the C's) will be able to present their offers this off season.
If Davis won't commit to Boston, I highly doubt Ainge will offer NO what they want, at that point, I could easily see another team (like NY) possibly being in a better position then they are now to make a good offer.
More than anything, Ainge is keeping the AD sweepstakes alive for lots of teams.

[Black Jack]

I’m going to laugh when Celtics offer Smart, Brown and two first round picks in the 20’s. Dell Demps is getting played right now.

If that is the offer, someone else is beating it and Ainge might get fired for his stupidity. Ainge is not going to be stingy when he realizes that he can get a top 3-5 player in his prime.

So...Ainge is going to trade all his prime assets for a guy promising to leave in free agency after a year?

I hope you see the dilemma here. if AD tells all non-LAL trade partners he's not resigning, the value of the trade asset isn't "best big man in the game" it's "one year of best big man in the game". There's a big difference.

Honestly if I was Boston I wouldn't give up Tatum without guarantees from AD he's willing to resign. Tatum is still a great prospect under control for years, for a reasonable price.

[Black Jack]

Actually, Ainge could be doing another team a big favor here. By keeping NO on the hook, and keeping LA from making a deal now, other teams (not just the C's) will be able to present their offers this off season.
If Davis won't commit to Boston, I highly doubt Ainge will offer NO what they want, at that point, I could easily see another team (like NY) possibly being in a better position then they are now to make a good offer.
More than anything, Ainge is keeping the AD sweepstakes alive for lots of teams.

Other teams can present their offers now. Boston is the one who cannot.

So, Ainge is only doing Ainge a favor - as expected.

NOP is being harmed; if they trade him now the value is two playoff runs guaranteed with AD. This summer the value is one playoff run guaranteed with AD. Which is not as valuable. Tick. Tock.

[baller16]

Pelicans are being extremely dumb with this decision. Ainge is going to low ball tf out of them during the summer. What if Kyrie leaves, you think he's gonna trade Tatum for a 1 year rental? Lakers monster offer will be off the table as well

[Pointgod]

I’m going to laugh when Celtics offer Smart, Brown and two first round picks in the 20’s. Dell Demps is getting played right now.

If that is the offer, someone else is beating it and Ainge might get fired for his stupidity. Ainge is not going to be stingy when he realizes that he can get a top 3-5 player in his prime.

So...Ainge is going to trade all his prime assets for a guy promising to leave in free agency after a year?

I hope you see the dilemma here. if AD tells all non-LAL trade partners he's not resigning, the value of the trade asset isn't "best big man in the game" it's "one year of best big man in the game". There's a big difference.

Honestly if I was Boston I wouldn't give up Tatum without guarantees from AD he's willing to resign. Tatum is still a great prospect under control for years, for a reasonable price.

Exactly. Anyone that thinks Ainge is on the up and up with the Pelicans is an idiot. And guess what happens when Demps goes back to the Lakers. Well the bar has been set and the offer gets worse.

[sardines]

....and then AD STATES——ain’t signing long term deal on the advice of Lebron. BaBoom

[Black Jack]

Wolf and sheep seem determined to find some food

[rpancestral]

Actually, Ainge could be doing another team a big favor here. By keeping NO on the hook, and keeping LA from making a deal now, other teams (not just the C's) will be able to present their offers this off season.
If Davis won't commit to Boston, I highly doubt Ainge will offer NO what they want, at that point, I could easily see another team (like NY) possibly being in a better position then they are now to make a good offer.
More than anything, Ainge is keeping the AD sweepstakes alive for lots of teams.

And this is the reason Pelicans shouldn't trade Davis now. During the summer more teams could make good offers. If Knicks get Irving and Durant they can go all in for Davis and they have great picks to trade.

[OkcSinceSGA]

Pelicans are being extremely dumb with this decision. Ainge is going to low ball tf out of them during the summer. What if Kyrie leaves, you think he's gonna trade Tatum for a 1 year rental? Lakers monster offer will be off the table as well

Naw. Other teams will be able to offer more in the summer.

[Black Jack]

From my perspective it seems like the Pelicans are just waiting to see who gets the #1 pick. They couldn't get much local interest even with AD and are banking on Zion to fill the seats for them.

Nobody's trading Zion for AD. That's fantasy. MAYBE NYK would be dumb enough. But any other team is gonna think hm....young freak with no injury history on a reasonable cap friendly deal or superstar with injury history who is a FA in one year. I mean it's just an absurd proposition to make that trade.

[TheGOATWill]

So is Ainge supposed to make the picks for the Pels on draft night then hope for 10 days AD doesn't get hurt, arrested or decide he wants that super max after all?

[drekwins]

Actually, Ainge could be doing another team a big favor here. By keeping NO on the hook, and keeping LA from making a deal now, other teams (not just the C's) will be able to present their offers this off season.
If Davis won't commit to Boston, I highly doubt Ainge will offer NO what they want, at that point, I could easily see another team (like NY) possibly being in a better position then they are now to make a good offer.
More than anything, Ainge is keeping the AD sweepstakes alive for lots of teams.

I agree. I think that he wants to see what pick the Knicks get and add Boston into the discussions. Both can offer a better top asset than the LAL can (Tatum and Knicks 2019 pick)

[statsman]

... or decide he wants that super max after all?

That would be awesome to see happen.