Anthony Davis to Lakers SHOCK twist: Pelicans star not telling truth over trade

That's the suggestion from The Athletic's Shams Charania, who claims the Los Angeles Lakers are still Davis' preferred destination.

After the six-time All Star handed in a trade request to the New Orleans Pelicans, it quickly emerged that the Lakers were the frontrunners.

The Boston Celtics couldn't trade for him due to the 'Rose Rule' until the summer when Kyrie Irving is eligible to sign a contract extension.

But then Davis' father came out and made it sound as though he would not consider re-signing with Boston when he becomes a free agent in 2020.

It then emerged that the Lakers were among a list of four teams that Davis would contemplate signing an extension, with the Celtics omitted from that list.

However, the 25-year-old refuted those reports on Saturday, by insisting the Celtics are on his list, among 28 other teams.

But Charania suggests Davis was only saying that to appease the Pelicans and that the Lakers are still his No 1 choice.

"I'm told he still has a four-team list of the Lakers, Knicks, Clippers and Milwaukee Bucks," Charania said on NBA TV.

"There are a couple other teams that he would consider as well.

"The Celtics, I'm told, are still not one of his preferred long-term destinations."

He added: "His top preference has been the Lakers.

"That's been the top destination for him, but that's why he's had to open it up.

"There's going to be other teams that make viable bids so he has to make a decision.

"'Am I going to look at the other team in L.A.? Am I going to look at the team in New York? Or a team like Milwaukee, which has promise as a young, up and coming team.

"Another interesting thing is his agent, Rich Paul, and Danny Ferry also have a longstanding relationship when LeBron James played in Cleveland and Danny Ferry was the GM of that team.

"I think the communication is going to be a little better."