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Scott Threlkeld/Associated Press

Anthony Davis has found his way back into the NBA's circle of conjecture, and that can mean only one thing: Trade season has arrived.

Most free agents who signed contracts this past summer became eligible for relocation Dec. 15, marking the unofficial start of the Association's silly season. Not surprisingly, with the rumor mill approaching fever pitch, it took all of a few days for the breaking-news cycle to name-drop the New Orleans Pelicans megastar.

And we basically have the Boston Celtics to blame.

"Davis remains an obsession of several NBA teams full of the necessary trade assets to unfasten him from New Orleans, should the Pelicans ever consider a rebuild—or should Davis ever request a trade," ESPN.com's Adrian Wojnarowski wrote. "Boston has remained vigilant on the possibility of acquiring Davis, and Davis knows it. However, the Pelicans have no intention of trading an all-world talent under contract through 2021, no matter the return."

This last part is important. On second thought, strike that. This last part is everything. The Pelicans haven't offered any indication they're ready to cut bait with Davis more than two years before his foray into the 2020 free-agency ranks (player option). They needn't worry about entertaining offers until this summer at the earliest—and that assumes they're unable to re-sign DeMarcus Cousins, make a suitable splash after he bolts and unwilling to deal him as a quasi-expiring deal in 2019.

Still, the latest speculation dictates discussion 'round these parts, so Davis' future cannot be placed off-limits. Hypothetical offers must be ambitious enough to keep the Pelicans from cackling their way off the phone, which makes for tricky territory. But here, in the world of Pure Imagination, we have the license to try finding them.

Fear not, though: Plenty of other deals are on the table. The NBA's speculation factory is too bumpin' for this to be a one-star exercise.