Pelicans’ Anthony Davis listed as questionable to play vs. Bulls

Not only would they secure Davis for the rest of this season and next, but they'd also prevent the Boston Celtics from having a shot at trading for the star big man. Los Angeles is one of Davis' preferred destinations, and the club already reportedly offered a package of Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, Brandon Ingram, Lance Stephenson, Rajon Rondo, and Michael Beasley in hopes of landing him.

Los Angeles Lakers coach Luke Walton (left) talks with forward LeBron James (23) against the Indiana Pacers during the third quarter at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

The Los Angeles Lakers are running out of time to make a deal with the Pelicans for Anthony Davis, and the team is in disarray. I think everything kind of clears up [after Davis is traded], at least for a while.

James' teams lost by 36 points twice previously.

Davis, 25, is under contract through the 2019 season and has a player option in 2020. Outside of LeBron James in his prime, I'm not sure there's a single player in the league worth risking your franchise's success over the next decade on.

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In any case, the Celtics are gearing up for what has the looks of an arduous playoff run and could be trying to acquire a minor player or two that the Pelicans would like as well. But, they are still "anxious to trade" for him and pair him with Irving, ESPN's report says. Young also found time to lead all rebounders in the game with 11 and accumulate a team-high eight assists. The Pelicans could wait until the draft lottery in May, when they'll have a better idea of when and how Boston's protected picks in deals with Philadelphia, Memphis and the Clippers could be conveyed in a deal.

There's some urgency for the Lakers to try and get a deal done by Thursday.

This is an underrated move that improves the Lakers exponentially but the squad still needs to make an additional trade or two to be considered contenders.

It's been an interesting few months for Boston and the shift in the locker room vibe became noticeable once Davis made his trade request. The Pelicans are 3-10 without Davis this season.