5 NBA players who definitely aren’t getting traded this summer
By Ian Levy
2. Anthony Davis
Anthony Davis has been a fixture in trade rumors for years but it’s pretty much time to put thing to bed. the thinking has always been that, like other young stars, if Davis recognized his situation as devoid of championship probabilities or a realistic pathway to them, he would ask out. Considering that the Pelicans appeared to be completely devoid of said probabilities the past few seasons, it felt like a possibility.
No longer. The Pelicans broke through this season, keeping themselves in the playoff hunt without DeMarcus Cousins and eventually sweeping the Trail Blazers out of the first round. Jrue Holiday has blossomed into an elite two-way wing, the kind of running mate Davis truly needs. The Pelicans also have the opportunity to let Cousins walk this summer and potentially use that cap space to bring back Nikola Mirotic and potentially some other depth that would be more useful.
Davis played center full time without Cousins and the results were spectacular. The championship probabilities may be slim but they’re real and tangible enough to keep Davis anchored in New Orleans.