Top 5 Teams for Anthony Davis
1. Boston Celtics
The Celtics are the best place for AD because of their great ball movement offense and their fantastic defensive gameplan. AD will no longer be left alone to carry the burden on both ends of the court, and will be paired along multiple other stars. His development under Brad Stevens could also help him fulfill the entirety of his potential.
2. Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers are a good landing spot for AD because they boast the best player in the league along with several knockdown shooters on the perimeter as well as two of the league's best passers in Rajon Rondo and Lonzo Ball. While some of these assets will most likely be traded in order to attain AD, the foundation will remain.
3. Portland Trail Blazers
Playing with an All-Star backcourt like Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum will not only help Anthony Davis's efficiency, but also the efficiency of Lillard and McCollum. The inside-outside game will be the strongest in the league and could be the missing piece that this Portland team has been searching for.
4. Phoenix Suns
While the Suns have the second worst record in the NBA right now and a terrible coaching staff to go along with it, Devin Booker has expressed his high interest in making a superteam in Phoenix. He could recruit his fellow Kentucky Wildcat alumnus Anthony Davis. Alongside rookie big man DeAndre Ayton and emerging offensive star TJ Warren, AD could make a huge difference in the desert. Including help Devin Booker lead the Suns to their first playoff berth since the Steve Nash era.
5. Miami Heat
While Davis would have to resume his carrying-the-team heroics, he would be able to pair up with another star big man in Hassan Whiteside. Whiteside and Davis would team to be the best post defending combo in the league and would shut down opposing teams in the paint. However, offensively Davis would have to carry the majority of the burden especially with Dwayne Wade retiring and Goran Dragic getting older.
Most Likely Teams for AD
1. Los Angeles Lakers
Magic Johnson and the Lakers seem ready to do whatever it takes to get AD. Even if it means separating with LA's own: the Ball family. Look for a possible package to include Kyle Kuzma, Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, and a few draft picks. This blockbuster could wreck LAL in the post-LeBron era by ridding the Lakers of their youthful stars.
2. Boston Celtics
Reports are that the Celtics will aggressively pursue Davis before the Feb 7 trade deadline to ensure that Davis does not get moved until the offseason. Once the offseason comes, the Celtics are open to dealing anyone or anything barring Kyrie Irving and Jayson Tatum for AD. The reason why the Celtics cannot make a move before the deadline is because both Kyrie and AD's contracts are under the 'Rose Rule', and the league does not allow for a single team to have two players with such contracts on their roster at the same time.
3. New York Knicks
The Knicks have already been feeling around the trade market looking for interest in their 'stars.' The Knicks have also been very active in trying to spark trade talks for AD. It is possible that AD looks to pair up with another established big man for the second time in his career. If it happens, AD will be hoping it lasts longer this time around.
4. Chicago Bulls
The Bulls really want AD. Is it because they have 11 wins? Maybe. But if the Bulls can hold on to their lottery pick in this year's draft and also somehow secure Anthony Davis, a team of Ja Morant/RJ Barrett, Zach Lavine, Jabari Parker, Lauri Markannen, and Anthony Davis seems pretty formidable.
5. Toronto Raptors
The Raptors want AD just so they can convince Kawhi to stay. While Leonard has enjoyed an impressive season in Canada, AD would essentially replace out of favor Jonas Valunciunas or perhaps even the in form Serge Ibaka. Really, the Raptors just want to make a splash here in order to try to keep their golden boy from escaping to LA.
