Anthony Davis has yet to tell those close to him he is "dead set" on joining the Los Angeles Lakers or any other specific team.

Davis also does not appear ready to demand a trade from the New Orleans Pelicans.

Davis has been consistent with his public comments about wanting to win with the Pelicans.

The Boston Celtics have long been interested in Davis and presumably could offer the Pelicans the best package, while the Lakers could also put together a potential trade for Davis.

Teams interested in trading for Anthony Davis expect him to cycle through a series of short-term contracts until he can sign a long-term deal at 35 percent of the cap.

Davis could sign a supermax extension with the New Orleans Pelicans at 35 percent of the cap this offseason.

Rich Paul, who represents Davis, has worked with LeBron James on a number of short-term contracts during his second tenure with the Cleveland Cavaliers. 

Kyrie Irving stressed the importance of teamwork and communication following the Boston Celtics 119-103 win over the Charlotte Hornets. 

Irving hinted at the details of the Celtics' 36-minute closed-door meeting following a loss on Friday night. The Celtics then had another 90-minute team meeting the following day.  

Irving said "getting past those things, the ego-centric things, this is a chance of a lifetime for us. And I think that, in order to achieve what we want to, we have to be closer as a team and really understand that when someone takes a shot, it’s our shot, we feel good about it, now we get back on defense and we prepare the right way and we do the right things for one another and not just for ourselves". 

Irving spoke of not letting outside pressures and distractions from social media infiltrate the locker room. 

“Having social media, having a lot of just pressures outside, and as well as bringing them into the locker room, I think that it’s fairly tough...you have to really open yourself up to communicating with these guys, and them communicating with you, and telling them how they feel about their roles, and us just being open to fixing things and helping one another rather than just allowing outside influences to dictate how you feel about your role...so I’m just glad that we can have that open dialogue now where we can just figure it out and know what the big picture is.”

Anthony Davis has a 15 percent trade bonus in his contract, which the New Orleans Pelicans would be responsible to pay if he's dealt in July.

This would mean an extra $4.1 million payment to Davis. The trade bonus would be negligible if he's dealt during the season.

"There's no way they're paying that trade kicker," a Western Conference executive said. "None."

There's a belief that Davis and Rich Paul could say they will only waive the trade bonus if he's dealt to the Lakers.

Davis could benefit from his next contract being shorter if he's dealt by the Pelicans. Davis would be eligible for the top-tier max salary in 2022.

The Boston Celtics held a closed-door team meeting that lasted 36 minutes following their 120-107 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. It was the Celtics third straight loss. 

Kyrie Irving said the meeting was to address "inconsistencies" in their play, while adding that "it comes down to cohesion, being able to trust the pass, trust what we have going on out there. Obviously some selfish play out there where ... we have some really talented guys, but we're better as a team sharing the basketball".

Irving added that he needed to be more patient with younger players as a team leader.

"To be honest I'm not playing the minutes I would want, the role I would want, that I selfishly would want for myself. That all goes on the back burner to being patient with what I have to do to grow as a leader of this team and help these other young guys to be more prepared for what they'll encounter as they get older in this league and are going through right now. That's part of the deal that I have, as opposed to how many shots I get or how successful I am. It's how successful we are as a team".

Jaylen Brown added "it's not about me. It's about us. We're trying to be a unit, either we're going to be all in or we're not. I didn't take anything personally from it, but we all got to be better".

Aron Baynes fractured the fourth metacarpal in his left hand during the Boston Celtics 111-103 loss to the Phoenix Suns. Baynes is out indefinitely.

"I don't know any updates on timelines or anything like that. But, probably, clearly, he's going to be out for some time," stated Brad Stevens.

The 32-year-old Baynes is averaging 5.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. Already playing without Al Horford for the last five games due to injury, Baynes' minutes will be replaced by Daniel Theis and Robert Williams. 

After struggling for the early part of the season, Jaylen Brown acknowledged the challenge of living up to last season's expectations on a deep roster with limited opportunities. 

Brown said "it's probably been the hardest thing I've had to deal with so far in my career. Just coming from a position where you had so much responsibility, and now that responsibility is lessened. Expectations have been raised, but your responsibility goes down, so it's hard to reach those expectations when you aren't being asked to do as much.

Brown was ranked 417th out of 430 players in Real-Plus-Minus when the ratings were first released. 

Kyrie Irving says it's time for Brown to accept the challenge and grow as a player.

Irving said "it's not about how many shots he's making or percentages or stats or anything like that. Now it's about, 'How do you get out of your own way to become the best version of yourself in an environment with other great players?' You're not in an environment where we can wait around for you. You're not surrounded by decent players who you will automatically play over, no matter how you perform".

Brown is averaging 12.5 points while shooting 42.4% from the field in 27.8 minutes this season, down from his 14.5 points with a 46.5% field goal percentage in 30.7 minutes last year. 

Al Horford will miss "at least a few games" after being diagnosed with patellofemoral pain syndrome in his left knee.

"This is one of those things that it just wasn't getting better," Horford said, according to the Celtics' official Twitter account.

Horford has struggled this season and has been dealing with inflammation in his left knee for nearly a month.

"I don't want to have to keep dealing with this and have a question mark game after game," Horford told reporters on Tuesday. "I just have to listen to the training staff and what the doctors are telling me. I've got to buy into that."

Kyrie Irving isn't concerned following his tweaked right shoulder.

Irving left Thursday's win over the Knicks with 3:34 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Irving had ice put on his shoulder on the bench.

"It was just a weird play at the end of the game," Irving said. "I don't know. It's like I got caught up as I was trying to get the ball out and pass it to Marcus for a 3. It just caught me weird on my shoulder. So it's probably an AC joint or something like that. I'm not diagnosing myself, I'm pretty sure. I saw the doctors afterward and they said AC joint or something going on there, but I'll be alright."

When Kyrie Irving requested a trade from the Cleveland Cavaliers, LeBron James suggested they attempt to trade him to the Portland Trail Blazers for Damian Lillard.

The Cavaliers never reached out to the Blazers on a trade for Lillard, but the interest from James has led to speculation about the Los Angeles Lakers eventually trying to trade for him.

Lillard's future with the Blazers has been uncertain. Lillard won't be a free agent until 2021.

"I love where I am," Lillard said. "I play for a great organization. I'm not looking for nothing. I think we'd complement each other well, but the only way that ever happens is if my team decides they don't want me no more. I'm trying to build something here."