Anthony Davis wants to be traded to a championship-contending team and the Lakers with LeBron James stand out as the likeliest option given that both Davis and James are represented by agent Rich Paul. The Knicks don’t qualify as a contender but they have the lure of New York City and will always be included in any conversation of a star player switching teams.
Kevin Pelton (in a collaborate piece among ESPN scribes) believes the Knicks should offer Kristaps Porzingis in exchange for Davis. Porzingis will be a restricted free agent at the end of the season and Pelton cites the Latvian’s health and projected lucrative deal as reasons he’d consider making the swap.
Here’s more news and reactions stemming from Davis’ trade request:
- There’s chatter within NBA circles that Davis wouldn’t hate playing in New York, Royce Young of ESPN.com writes (same piece). Young adds that landing Davis would make the Knicks a much more attractive option this summer for top free agents, such as Kevin Durant.
- Can we find another connection between Davis and the Knicks? Stefan Bondy of The New York Daily News relays (Twitter feed) that Davis’ longtime trainer, Marcell Scott, lives in New York and works with Knicks rookie Mitchell Robinson.
- The Pelicans should focus on landing multiple picks in the 2022 draft, which could be the first draft where the one-and-done rule is no longer in effect, Michael Grange of Rogers Sportsnet contends (Twitter links). The scribe adds that the team should also look for draft picks in exchange for their other veterans, such as Jrue Holiday and Nikola Mirotic.
- Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic (Twitter link) wonders if the Timberwolves will attempt to get involved in trade talks with the Pelicans if the New Orleans goes into fire sale mode. Minnesota had extensive talks with the franchise while it was shopping around for the best Jimmy Butler deal.
- The whole league is caught up in the buzz surrounding Davis’ trade request and Durant, who infamously left Oklahoma City to join a better situation in Golden State, believes Davis shouldn’t be ridiculed for letting his preference known. “Its AD wanting to play basketball somewhere,” Durant tells Anthony Slater of The Athletic (Twitter link). “It’s not like the president shutting down the government. It’s basketball…We all, as players, we want guys to do exactly what they want to do in this league. They have a short amount of time,”
Knicks don’t have what it takes to land Davis.
If they offered KP and the trade didn’t go through, KP would not want to re-sign. He’d be gone
He’s a RFA, so he’d resign in some way.
I’d be more concerned as the Pels if it does go through. Best case, in 2 years, they’re back in the same spot with KP vs AD.
I’d be most concerned if I was AD, and make sure it doesn’t go through. Who is going to play with on the Knicks until his only talented teammates finish puberty?
Except he’s a restricted free agent, and NY is one of the best cities in the world for a single young millionaire ready to mingle.
He might demand the shortest deal possible, but there’s a chance he’s going to do that no matter what. Dolan is a terrible owner, after all.
Given that Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball’s trade value are declining, I don’t think the Lakers are the favorite. There is zero chance AD gets traded before February 7. The Lakers will have problems matching salaries and Kuzma is their only tradeable asset (in the mind of anyone who isn’t a Lakers fan).
Apparently you know everything. I’d bet he’s wearing Laker Gold soon than you think.
Which other team will give the pelicans that many young assests? It’s either you get them now or he walks for free.
he’s still signed through next year, N.O. would get more from the Celtics come July 1st than from any other contender
gentry made statement this morning about the fakenews – AD’s not being traded till summer. makes sense to wait until the lottery picks become secured
Gentry also said, just a week ago, they wouldn’t trade Davis under ANY circumstances. So, take what he, me, or anyone says with a grain of s__t.
Insert whatever word there. lol
Pelton lives in a Celtic-Laker NBA 2k universe. Other teams should trade whatever they have of value to any team making an elite player available. Bottom line is KP isn’t getting traded or discussed in an AD deal. The injury and the RFA status make that certain; as does his age relative to their other significant trade assets. KP will be 23 when Davis turns 26 (next year), and while that’s not old, it makes him an age appropriate junior partner for Davis. The other significant assets the Knicks have are 19-20 or not even in human form yet (draft picks). It’s not a matter of “keeping” AD, but of actually winning with him in his prime. Without KP, the Knicks would have no reason to pursue AD.
So, here’s the best I think the Knicks can do: Knox, Robinson, THJ (must take), 2019 1st (unprotected) and 2022 1st (protected top 10).
I think KP, Hardaway, 2019 1st and 2022 1st (both unprotected) could get the deal done.
Doesn’t matter if KP isn’t happy about being included in trade talks, he’s an RFA this offseason, so he can’t walk anyway.
What could the Wolves possibly offer for Davis? The only way anything would work is if New Orleans loves Wiggins, but that can’t be possible, right?!
IF NY sign AD this summer, watch Irving sign and Durrant try to jump in on it
He’s not a free agent…