Shams Charania Reports David Griffin Has Begun Taking Calls on Anthony Davis

Shams Charania of The Athletic has finally reported the inevitable.

It’s not a matter of if Anthony Davis will be traded, it’s when.

David Griffin, the executive vice president of the New Orleans Pelicans, has begun taking calls regarding the future acquisition of Davis. Griffin and he met last week and had amicable talks according to Shams, but Davis’ intentions never shifted from his previous desire — Davis still wants out.

“Across the NBA, rival executives believe the following teams will be able to compile the best packages: The Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets,” Shams wrote. “Davis’ preferred destination list of four teams includes the Lakers, Knicks and LA Clippers and that will embolden those teams to pursue him strongest of all.”

The countdown is officially on for Griffin and general manager Trajan Langdon to find the best deal to put the Pelicans in position to build around both Jrue Holiday and Zion Williamson. Critical decisions will need to be made as to the future and direction of the franchise.

Do the Pelicans put an emphasis on picks and young talent? Do the Pelicans opt for a little more win-now talent? Do they try to get a happy marriage of both?

If the Pelicans do seek a combination of picks, an elite and developmental talent coupled with a steady veteran, then the Clippers should find themselves more important players in the Davis’ sweepstakes. The Clippers have both the short term (Danilo Gallinari, Montrezl Harrell, Lou Williams) and long term (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Landry Shamet) pieces to intrigue Griffin as well as a multitude of picks acquired from Philadelphia.

But just how much will they and others be willing to sacrifice in order to acquire Davis?

Boston was previously thought to be the frontrunner in the race, but Danny Ainge may have slowed his foot off the organizational pedal according to a recent report recorded by Oleh Kosel and myself in a conversation with Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders.

“As bad as the Celtics season went on a lot of fronts — and we’re starting to hear about it more, there’s a sense that maybe trying to do old guys and young guys isn’t going to work out,” said Kyler on the Bird Calls podcast. “Maybe the best path forward is the young guys. If you really look at how the Celtics played in the postseason last year to this year, the young guys were way more inspired than say a Kyrie Irving-led team. It seems like, at least at this point, the Celtics are looking at other things.”

For more on the aforementioned teams and their potential trade packages, review our work from the past two weeks and what it would likely take for them to acquire Anthony Davis.

Thanks for reading and comment with your favorite trade destination below!

Boston Celtics

Anthony Davis Trade Packages, Part Six: Time for Danny Ainge to spend Boston Celtics assets like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown

Brooklyn Nets

Anthony Davis Trade Packages, Part One: Focus on Pascal Siakam from Raptors and D’Angelo Russell out of Brooklyn

Los Angeles Lakers

Do not underestimate the Los Angeles Lakers leverage in Anthony Davis trade talks

Los Angeles Clippers

Anthony Davis Trade Packages, Part Five: A deal centered around Anthony Davis and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of Los Angeles Clippers

New York Knicks

Anthony Davis Trade Packages, Part Four: Can the Knicks Draw the Brow to the Big Apple?

You can also glimpse our podcast series breaking down each potential Davis suitor and some of the words of Steve Kyler.

We’ll continue to keep you up to date with the latest happenings and bringing you exclusive content.

But for now, let’s geaux Pels!