Toronto Raptors are right to enter the bidding for Anthony Davis

By Paul Taylor | Jan 29, 2019

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 23: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans looks on against the Detroit Pistons at Smoothie King Center on January 23, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /

The Toronto Raptors will reportedly throw their hat into the ring and make a trade offer for five-time All-Star Anthony Davis.

Undoubtedly the biggest news in NBA circles on Monday, was the report that Anthony Davis had requested a trade from the New Orleans Pelicans. Almost immediately, Toronto Raptors fans wondered what the chances were of their team being able to put together a package for the 2012 first overall draft pick.

Tip of the Tower colleague David Morassutti wrote an article earlier on Tuesday, explaining why the Raptors would likely be unsuccessful in any attempt to trade for Davis. However, as much as his conclusion makes a lot of sense, it appears the team will still throw their hat into the ring.

As reported by Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer, the Raptors will join the likes of the Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks and Milwaukee Bucks, in making a play for Davis between now and the Feb. 7 trade deadline. And in fairness, why not?

Remember that a lot of people dismissed the Raptors, when they first made their interest known in Kawhi Leonard last season. Well, we all know how that played out; he allegedly preferred a move to Los Angeles, but still ended up in Toronto.

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It doesn’t matter how much Davis may apparently want to join the Lakers. The Pelicans still have some control over the player and can decide where they want to move him.

The five-time All-Star is still under contract for next season. As such, even though he has told New Orleans he has no intention of signing an extension, there is — at least theoretically — no immediate rush to trade him.

As per ESPN‘s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Pelicans are taking this approach with Davis, unless they receive an overwhelming offer. And even then, they may well still wait until the summer. (In fact, Wojnarowski believes New Orleans’ preference is to not move Davis until after this season.)

The understanding is the Boston Celtics — who are also interested in Davis — will be unable to join the bidding before the upcoming trade deadline unless Kyrie Irving is moved, due to Collective Bargaining Agreement rules. With this in mind, it makes perfect sense to wait until after this season when Boston can enter the fray, in the process helping drive up the return packages New Orleans can potentially receive for their superstar.

Thoughts turn to what the Raptors specifically could offer in return for Davis – assuming New Orleans do move him before the upcoming trade deadline. In this respect, they actually have a lot of assets which may well be appealing to the Pelicans.

For a start, there are some budding young talents, including Pascal Siakm and OG Anunoby. There are also more established veteran players such as Jonas Valanciunas and Serge Ibaka, as well as draft picks to offer.

How this combination of assets matches up to what other teams can offer, is open to debate. In any event, the Raptors are right to at least try to trade for Davis; his combination with Leonard would be a devastating one for opponents to contend with, no matter how long or short this lasted for.

Further, with Masai Ujiri already committed to going all-in this season, putting in an offer for Davis continues the philosophy. Assuming Leonard does leave in the Summer, the Raptors may not be in this position again for quite a while, so now is the time to strike.

Ultimately, we still believe the Raptors are unlikely to be successful in persuading the Pelicans to trade Davis to them. However, it is still the right play by the team to at least try; as per the SAS motto: “Who Dares Wins”.

Next. Kawhi Leonard gets well-deserved All-Star nod. dark

What’s your take on the speculation linking the Toronto Raptors to Davis? How confident are you that the five-time All-Star will be traded to Southern Ontario by Feb. 7? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

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