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New Orleans Pelicans: 3 trade possibilities for Anthony Davis

By Justin Benton

PORTLAND, OR - JANUARY 18: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans looks on during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on January 18, 2019 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - JANUARY 18: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans looks on during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on January 18, 2019 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images
Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images /

3. New York Knicks

The New York Knicks have claimed stake in the Anthony Davis lottery. In addition to Los Angeles and Boston, many around the league believe the Knicks remain a serious threat to put together an enticing package for the Pelicans. With ample young assets, this is very true.

One of their biggest bargaining chips is their upcoming 2019 NBA Draft pick. The Knicks will likely have some of the best odds at receiving the first overall draft selection, which will almost certainly be Duke sensation Zion Williamson.

However, even if they are a bottom-three team at the end of the season and have the most probable odds (tied at 14 percent), things could always shake out so that New York doesn’t even pick in the top five of the draft. The trick for the Knicks is getting the Pelicans to bite on a trade now, rather waiting for the draft lottery to shake out and having to bid for him in the offseason.

The best way for New York to do that is to go all out and offer up Kristaps Porzingis. He will enter restricted free agency in the summertime, and a deal involving him them would have to be a sign-and-trade, which would be more difficult to pull off rather than just handing New Orleans the rights to match any offer he receives in a few months. Wojnarowski has also reported Porzingis would be reluctant to agree to such a sign-and-trade.

Porzingis has been injured all season and has yet to play a game, which will impact his trade value, unfortunately. It is still apparent that he is a unique and vastly talented player though, and someone that New Orleans could possibly look to build around in the near future.

If the Knicks add in those two assets, along with another young player like Frank Ntilikina, it would be a great return for the Pelicans. The possibility of taking back Tim Hardaway Jr. to help match salaries could benefit both teams. New York would gain some extra cap space in the coming summer and New Orleans could use that to help secure an extra pick in the deal and bring back a player who will at least have some immediate value.

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