NBA: 4 potential trade packages for Anthony Davis

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4. Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics are facing a lot of uncertainty heading into this offseason. With Kyrie Irving expected to test free agency, the Celtics will need to look to acquire a new superstar. Anthony Davis has always been linked to Boston in previous trade rumors, and it has been made clear that general manager Danny Ainge has an interest in acquiring him.

Danny Ainge has encouraged the Pelicans to wait until the offseason to negotiate with the Celtics. Boston remains determined to try and partner Anthony Davis with Kyrie Irving for long-term, but plans to pursue AD regardless of Irving's free agency plans, per sources. https://t.co/Ft8rfe9EBZ
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 5, 2019

In this proposed trade, Boston is giving up its promising young forward in Jayson Tatum as well as former All-Star Gordon Hayward. Overall, Hayward did not fit well with the Celtics this season and has not been the player he was before suffering a season-ending leg injury in the 2017-18 season.

New Orleans would also receive whichever player Boston takes with the No. 14 overall pick in the upcoming draft (since the Celtics can’t deal for AD until July 1). The Cs would add E’Twaun Moore to balance out salaries and reclaim some of the wing depth lost in this deal.

(See the deal on ESPN’s NBA Trade Machine)

Although these two players are a lot for the Celtics to give up, they would have to in order to acquire Davis — especially with a bidding war brewing now that the Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks have top-four picks to offer. Another future first may even be required from Boston.

If Irving leaves this summer, the Celtics’ backs will be against the wall to make moves to remain a contender. With the other lucrative offers the Pelicans will receive, the Boston Celtics will have to swing for the fences to get New Orleans’ attention — and keep Kyrie’s.

A frontcourt of Anthony Davis and Al Horford would be extremely deadly on defense. They also can both stretch the floor on the offensive end. If the Celtics made this trade, they would have to have some sort of reassurance from Davis that he would consider re-signing long-term after the season.