Before the Los Angeles Lakers stunned the NBA by trading Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks for Luka Dončić, the Boston Celtics quietly explored the possibility of acquiring the All-Star big man, according to new reporting from ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel.
Siegel reported Friday that the Lakers began gauging Davis’ value early last season, months before former Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison executed the most shocking midseason trade in league history.
“Of the teams that the Lakers spoke with when they were first putting out feelers for Davis, the Boston Celtics held a couple of calls with Los Angeles,” Siegel wrote.
While discussions never reached a serious stage, one message from Boston stood out:
“We’ll keep it in mind.”
Getty Anthony Davis of the Dallas Mavericks walks off of the court after a game against the Boston Celtics at the TD Garden.
Sources told Siegel the response indicated that Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens and his front office were at least “receptive” to the idea of pursuing Davis.
Boston was among the strongest bidders for Davis during the 2019 trade sweepstakes, before he was ultimately sent from the New Orleans Pelicans to the Lakers.
Lakers Chose Mavericks Deal Over Revisiting Boston Talks
Despite the early-season contact, Boston never got a second chance. The Lakers ultimately sent Davis to Dallas in February, where he was paired with star guard Kyrie Irving after Dončić was moved to Los Angeles.
It is unclear what the Lakers sought from Boston in a potential deal. The Celtics may have opted to maintain roster stability after their 2024 NBA championship run, relying on the core of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holiday, Derrick White and Kristaps Porziņģis.
Celtics’ Title Defense Derailed by Injuries
Boston’s plan to “stay the course,” however, fell apart quickly.
Porziņģis missed significant time with recurring injuries, and Tatum suffered an Achilles injury that ended his season. The Celtics ultimately fell in the second round, unable to replicate their Finals success.
The timing raises the question: with Dallas now reassessing its roster post-Harrison, could Boston get a second shot at landing Davis?
Should Dallas ‘Blow It Up’? Jeff Teague Says Celtics Are the Scariest Landing Spot
The topic gained traction again this week on the Club 520 Podcast, hosted by former NBA guard Jeff Teague. The panel openly debated what direction the Mavericks should take after parting ways with Harrison — including whether they should completely reset the roster.
“Just blow it up,” one host said, as the group discussed how Dallas should move forward after dealing Dončić for Davis.
The conversation quickly shifted to potential Davis destinations, with Teague pointing to the Celtics as the most “terrifying” fit.
Derrick White Floated as Possible Trade Chip in Celtics–Davis Scenario
The hosts floated several hypothetical trade frameworks, mentioning the Minnesota Timberwolves as one possible landing spot, but repeatedly circling back to Boston.
They joked that the Celtics “don’t even use a point guard for real,” imagining a super-sized Big Three of Tatum, Brown and Davis anchoring a dominant Boston frontcourt.
The group discussed which Celtics players could realistically be included in a trade package, with White consistently mentioned as the most likely centerpiece.
“Would you trade Derrick White for Anthony Davis? Yeah, I mean, realistically, yes — you have to,” one host said, while also acknowledging the obvious concern: Davis’ extensive injury history.
The podcast also mentioned Payton Pritchard and other role players as possible add-ins, but emphasized that Boston would aim to keep both Tatum and Brown out of any deal.
From their perspective, a package built around White for a healthy Davis would be a “no-brainer talent swing” for a Celtics team still chasing sustained dominance.
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