Windhorst: Clippers Are a 'Sleeper' for Anthony Davis Amid Trade Rumors

The Los Angeles Clippers are reportedly a "sleeper" to land New Orleans Pelicans power forward Anthony Davis during the 2019 NBA offseason.

On Thursday, ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported during an appearance on First Take that the Clippers could make a push for Davis as part of a summer that will also feature the front office making a run at prized free agents Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard:

"If you're looking for a sleeper team, it's not the [Toronto] Raptors, it's L.A.—not the Lakers, it's the Clippers. Now, the Clippers have grand plans. They're trying to get Kawhi and they're trying to get Kevin Durant. And if they fail in that pursuit, they have extra first-round picks because of the Tobias Harris trade.

"They have good young players, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, right there on the All-NBA [Rookie] Second Team. They have Landry Shamet, very desirable player. You also have Montrezl Harrell, who can be put in that deal. They can make a compelling offer as well."

The NBA fined Davis $50,000 in January for making a public trade request.

Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.com reported the six-time All-Star selection and new Pelicans executive vice president David Griffin met for breakfast Wednesday to discuss the future, and Griffin was "determined to make a case for Davis to stay."

Although Davis has appeared ready for a fresh start elsewhere, New Orleans' chances of keeping him seemed to receive a boost when it landed the No. 1 pick in the 2019 NBA draft, giving the team the opportunity to select Duke freshman sensation Zion Williamson.

Davis hasn't commented on whether Zion's presence will impact his decision-making process, though.

Meanwhile, the Clippers were one of the regular season's best stories as they kept pace in the loaded Western Conference for most of the campaign and earned a playoff berth with a 48-34 record.

They pushed the two-time defending champion Golden State Warriors to six games in the first round of the postseason but didn't have enough star power to upset Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant and Co.

That could all change if their offseason goes according to plan with Durant, Leonard and Davis all on their wish list. Any two of those players would turn the Clips into an instant title contender.

The Clippers figure to see competition from the rival Los Angeles Lakers as well as the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks if the Pelicans do accept Davis trade offers in the coming months, though.