The
New Orleans Pelicans have been made aware of an extended list of teams beyond the
Lakers and
Knicks that All-Star center
Anthony Davis would stay long-term upon a trade, league sources told ESPN.
One source with knowledge of the list called it a "handful" of teams.
The list doesn't include the
Boston Celtics, league sources said. The Celtics are unable to trade for Davis until July 1 as long as
Kyrie Irving is on the team's roster.
The
Milwaukee Bucks are one of the teams on Davis' new extended list, league sources tell ESPN. Milwaukee hasn't inquired about a Davis trade, sources say, and its roster composition does make the pathway to a trade extremely difficult.
This turn of events could be an opening to help spur the Pelicans to find a deal for Davis prior to Thursday's trade deadline, league sources said. The Knicks don't have the assets to make a trade for Davis now, and the Lakers and Pelicans have yet to gain traction in talks.
This appears to be an effort on the part of Davis and his agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, to facilitate a deal prior to Thursday's 3 p.m. ET deadline, and spare a prolonged stay into the offseason for Davis with the franchise.
Davis, who requested a trade a week ago, can't become a free agent until July of 2020. He informed the Pelicans that he wouldn't sign a five-year, $239M super max contract.