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New Orleans Pelicans: Examining the trade market for Anthony Davis

By Jonathan Macri

NEW ORLEANS, LA - FEBRUARY 23: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts during a game against Houston Rockets at the Smoothie King Center on February 23, 2017 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 Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - FEBRUARY 23: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts during a game against Houston Rockets at the Smoothie King Center on February 23, 2017 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 Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LA – FEBRUARY 23: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts during a game against Houston Rockets at the Smoothie King Center on February 23, 2017 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 Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – FEBRUARY 23: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts during a game against Houston Rockets at the Smoothie King Center on February 23, 2017 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 Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

This is where the should and could come into play

On one hand, a Boston core of Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, Gordon Hayward and Al Horford (yes, some crafty cap management would be needed to make this work) would be favorites in the East for years to come.

On the other hand, that would be an unbelievably rich package, even for a player of Davis’ caliber.

More from Sir Charles In Charge

As this summer has reminded us all, there’s no predicting Danny Ainge’s next move. There also shouldn’t be any doubting him.

If he is able to pull this off, even by including both Tatum and Brown, he will turn the haul from the Nets’ trade plus a declining Rajon Rondo and the 28th pick in the 2016 Draft – the pick that was used to acquire Isaiah Thomas – into Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis just as each is about to hit their prime, all while maintaining the cap space to sign two max free agents.

The man knows what he’s doing. Here’s betting that a year from now, this is exactly the outcome we reach. New Orleans should learn from the Paul George scenario that waiting only hurts unless you have a real shot at the title.

The Pelicans don’t. They’ll put Davis on the block before next year’s draft, and Boston will be the only team with the necessary assets to make a deal happen that is also comfortable and confident enough in its own situation to pay a king’s ransom.

Must Read: NBA: 5 biggest sleepers to win the Rookie of the Year award in 2017-18

Five years after the trade that gave the Celtics franchise new life, they will add the final piece to the puzzle. That’s a storyline that will actually matter.

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