Although Anthony Davis and David Griffin met in California earlier this week, the New Orleans Pelicans future remains very much up in the air. Adrian Wojnarowski has stated that dialogue will continue between the two parties while Shams Charania indicated that Davis’ stance has likely not changed in wanting to join another team.

With a trade more likely than not, we decided to reach out to Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders, especially after reading the following tweet on Friday.

I can help a little... The Celtics have been actively exploring trades, and draft scenarios for players that would better lineup with a future built around Tatum and Brown... sources close to the team are skeptical that they can get Irving back but remain open to re-signing him. https://t.co/uUxWHyYifM — Steve Kyler (@stevekylerNBA) May 31, 2019

“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.”

Kyler feels that Anthony Davis isn’t nearly as high on Boston’s wishlist as in February before the trade deadline. The main reason being, of course, Kyrie Irving — Kyler doesn’t think the valuable point guard is going to re-sign with the Celtics.

Despite this information, Kyler feels the market for Davis will be strong and that a trade around the 2019 NBA Draft is likeliest. In addition to having the sense that a few teams will come out of the woodwork, say the Houston Rockets or Dallas Mavericks, Kyler thinks the New York Knicks (the potential addition of RJ Barrett with 3rd overall pick in this year’s draft) and the Los Angeles Lakers (Kyle Kuzma + 4th overall pick) could push them to the forefront of Davis trade talks because of their ability to pair Zion up with another prized rookie on the same timeline.

“Look, I think the world of Jayson Tatum,” said Kyler. “I think if you can get Jayson Tatum, you do that, because I think he can be a superstar in this league. But again, I don’t get the sense that he’s going to be as available as maybe Pelican fans want him to be. So, to me, the Knicks and the Lakers probably offer the best in terms of being able to draft the complimentary player.”

For more perspective on Anthony Davis landing spots as well as discussion on the changes that have taken place with the New Orleans Pelicans since the Griffin hire, expectations for Zion Williamson, and Jrue Holiday’s future with the organization, please listen to our latest podcast. And as always, thank you for all of your support, questions and comments!