Davis: Celtics are on my wish list

The Pelicans forward, who has formally requested a trade, said on Saturday that the Knicks, Lakers, Bucks and, most surprisingly, the Celtics are also on his list.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Anthony Davis confirmed the Knicks are among his preferred destinations in a candid interview ahead of the All-Star game.

The Pelicans forward, who has formally requested a trade, added that the Lakers, Bucks and, most surprisingly, the Celtics are also on his list.

"You want to take control of your career," Davis said. "Because you're the one who is playing. That's what I tried to do."

The 26-year-old, who holds leverage because he'll be a free agent in 2020, repeated that his only goal is to win and market size is not a factor.

"Big market, small market. It doesn't matter. I'm focused on winning on this point of my career and wherever that may be. It can be a big market or small market. I just want to win."

Asked then about the appeal of the Knicks - which has one of the NBA's worst records this season and of the last 20 years - Davis said, "It's a great franchise. Playing in obviously the Garden, the city. But obviously Milwaukee is on that list, too."

The reported list also included the Clippers.

"Whatever list that came out, that's between my agent and the Pelicans," Davis said. "It's true."

Minutes later, Davis backtracked a bit and told NBA TV his list includes every team but the Pelicans. That's also a smarter approach because the trade deadline passed and circumstances (or lists) will change in the summer. A team may also trade for Davis even with no guarantee he'll sign long term next summer, much like OKC did with Paul George, Boston did with Kyrie Irving and Toronto did with Kawhi Leonard.

The Knicks, Lakers, Clippers and Celtics are set to get in a bidding war over Davis. The Lakers are the most desperate, the Celtics have the best prospects and the Knicks have the most appealing draft picks (depending on where their 2019 pick lands in the lottery).

It was reported the Celtics were not on Davis' list but he refuted that on Saturday.

"They are on my list," he said.

The Knicks also have enough cap space to sign a max free agent if they trade for Davis, with Kevin Durant as the top target.

"They have a nice little team," Davis said. "I don't go out and look at teams. I'm still with the Pelicans, I'm still representing the other Pelicans. I don't go out and look at teams like, 'Oh, how can I fit here? How can I fit here?' When that time comes, that time comes. So I just have to finish these last 20-something games in New Orleans and see how it goes from there."

Davis was drafted by the Pelicans in 2012 and developed into an All-NBA player without much winning or exposure. His star power never matched his talent in New Orleans.

On Friday, the Pelicans announced they fired GM Dell Demps and replaced him in the interim with Danny Ferry.

Davis said that did not alter his trade request.

"Obviously the Pelicans have to do what's best for them. My intentions are still the same no matter who the GM is. My intentions are the same."

Davis said he is emboldened to control his destiny, following the examples of LeBron James and others who've flexed their power.

"I just keep it real to be honest," Davis said. "I knew that's what you guys wanted to talk about. So I just say how I feel, state my intentions and that's it."