New York Knicks shouldn’t hesitate to deal 2019 first round pick for Anthony Davis

Depending on the framework of the deal, the New York Knicks would be foolish to let their 2019 first round pick stop them from acquiring a superstar like Anthony Davis.

What was supposed to be a routine Monday morning turned into absolute anarchy when ESPN‘s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Anthony Davis wouldn’t sign an extension with the New Orleans Pelicans this summer, essentially asking for a trade.

Davis is set to become a free agent in the summer of 2020 but was eligible to sign a five-year $240 million extension with the Pelicans this coming July. New Orleans has attempted for years to build a perennial contender around its superstar but to no avail. Now, it must deal with acquiring the best return for his services.

While the Los Angeles Lakers vs. Boston Celtics rivalry just took an interesting turn as both fanbases argue for their respective packages, ESPN‘s Brian Windhorst suggested another big-market team that could be in the running for the five-time All-Star: the New York Knicks. The only caveat? Their 2019 first round pick being totally unprotected.

NBA Draft picks are a tricky asset to evaluate, at least prior to the lottery process. Every bottom-feeder believes it will win the coveted No. 1 overall pick, and it’s that possibility that makes the pick so valuable to interested buyers.

Once the lottery occurs, the value of those picks fluctuates, making it either easier or harder to deal depending on where they land. So, if you can include them in a worthwhile trade early in the season, it’s best to make it happen before that super valuable asset depreciates in value.

Certain Knicks fans may feel that 2019 pick should be completely off limits. It has the potential to turn into Zion Williamson, one of the best and most exciting prospects of the modern era. Giving it up would be ridiculous.

The thing is, the lottery odds have been skewed against the true worst of the worst for this season and beyond. With the second-worst record in the league, New York would have just a 14 percent chance at the top spot and an almost 48 percent probability it lands outside the top four. Those odds aren’t as encouraging as in years past, where the Knicks would have a 19.9 percent chance at the first pick and a 55.8 percent opportunity at going top three.

Even more so, as good as the incoming rookie class may seem, you never truly know how good a player is going to be until he proves it. We’ve seen sure things go bad and potential busts blossom. Zion Williamson looks fantastic, but there’s always a chance, even just a small one, he doesn’t turn into the megastar so many have him pegged to become.

Compare that to AD, who’s now in his seventh season having already asserted himself as probably the best big man in the game. You know who he is. You know what you’re getting from him, and it’s truly awesome historic stuff.

The Knicks would certainly have to make sure not to give up the farm, lest they recreate the Carmelo Anthony trade of 2011, and Davis would obviously have to commit to staying in New York long-term.

If they can send the 2019 pick, Tim Hardaway Jr., Frank Ntilikina and Mitchell Robinson, is that something they reject? The whole point of draft picks is to hope a guy becomes as good as Davis has shown to be. And let’s not forget, there’s an 86 percent chance the Knicks don’t get Zion!

There’s no telling whether or not the Pelicans would even consider such an offer, especially given the package other teams could cobble together. But from New York’s perspective, if the pick is what’s keeping the team out of the discussion, there really shouldn’t be any debate.

Anthony Davis is at worst a top-10 player who turns 26 in March and could be a legitimate selling point to potential free agents this summer. Zion is great if you can get him, but AD offers assurance the youngster can’t match and a ceiling he can only hope to reach.