The Boston Celtics were among multiple teams that pursued Anthony Davis even though they weren't his preferred destination.
Davis only saw a long-term future with the Los Angeles Lakers or New York Knicks; agent Rich Paul was transparent with all other interested suitors - including Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge - about his client's intentions to walk away following the 2020 season should they acquire him.
"The last thing you want to do is put a GM in a situation where he trades away an asset and then the guy walks out the door," Paul told ESPN's Dave McMenamin. "Like, you can't do business that way. So it's not really a hard conversation to have.
"And I don't think it stopped Danny Ainge from trying. It's just that maybe he didn't have the deal (he wanted). He wasn't willing to give up the young players, which I don't blame him. I wouldn't give them up either if the guy is not going to re-sign."
Boston could've parted with rising talents Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, and had a war chest of draft picks to offer.
Meanwhile, trade talks between the Pelicans and Lakers were renewed after New Orleans won this year's draft lottery and L.A. landed the No. 4 pick, league sources told McMenamin.
"(Davis) wanted to go to two places: New York or L.A.," Paul said. "After the draft (lottery), I was able to see where everything lies. The fact that (the Pelicans) were going to get the first pick caused me to understand that it softened the blow of losing Anthony Davis because the organization could still have some momentum.
"Now, where he would go was up to who was going to step up and give the best offer."
The Lakers ultimately got the job done with a package that included Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, and three first-round draft picks - including the fourth overall selection in the 2019 NBA Draft.
"Rich had done such an effective job of smoking out all of the competition for the Lakers that we were left with the sense that the best deal is going to very likely come from (the Lakers)," Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin said. "And if we can get X-Y-Z, we have to execute the deal."
