According to reports, the Lakers, Knicks and eventually Celtics are in position to trade for Anthony Davis.
Anthony Davis announced to the basketball world that he wants to be traded and is not re-signing with New Orleans when his free agency hits in 2020.
The announcement has the NBA buzzing about Davis’ landing spot. There’s some nice superstar free agents on the market this summer. Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, Jimmy Butler and Boogie Cousins, to name a few.
None, however, are as young and multi-faceted as Davis. Per Basketball-Reference, he is the only player in league history to tally at least 10,000 points, 1,000 blocks and 100 made 3-pointers in his first 500 career games.
The trade deadline is quickly approaching, but 10 days is enough time to change the course of history.
Here are three potential trade destinations for AD by Feb 7.
1. LA Lakers
The assumptions that AD will inevitably end up in LA with LeBron began when The Brow signed with Lebron’s agent, Rich Paul. The second clue came when Paul was the one that announced that AD wanted a trade on Monday.
Complex Sports on Twitter
? We are officially in TRADE SZN ? Anthony Davis wants out of New Orleans and the Lakers are eager to trade for AD before the deadline. Details: https://t.co/xAtirP48v7
Various reports say the Lakers are willing to give up Kyle Kuzma, Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Ivica Zubac, Josh Hart and multiple unprotected first-rounders to get Davis. That’s not a bad haul for the Pelicans, who risk losing Davis completely in free agency.
2. New York Knicks
Believe it or not, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst dropped a bomb on “Get Up!” this morning.
Randy Cruz on Twitter
Windhorst on the Knicks possible getting in the AD sweepstakes… https://t.co/G9rrklvdc5
According to Windhorst, if the Knicks were willing to include their unprotected first-round pick in a package, they could “put together a competitive offer that would help the Pelicans do a rebuild and they could get their hands on Anthony Davis in the next ten days.”
The Knicks would have to start with their unprotected 2019 first-round pick and injured franchise player Kristaps Porzingis. The Knicks would also have to tank to do everything they can to ensure a Top 3 pick.
A package of Porzingis, Frank Ntilikina, Enes Kanter (for cap purposes) and the unprotected 2019 pick for Davis would work under the salary cap.
Of course, the Knicks would have to know that AD is willing to sign a max extension in July and make The Garden his home, or the point is moot.
Most folks weren’t even considering the Knicks as a potential trade destination for Davis. The names Durant, Butler and Kyrie Irving have been mentioned, but not the 25-year-old AD. What a bombshell that would be.
3. Boston Celtics
Davis’ name has been linked to Boston in the past because of the wealth of young talent and draft picks that President Danny Ainge has acquired. If the Pelicans don’t want to trade Davis now, the team can always gain an advantage by waiting until this summer to trade Davis, which would allow the Celtics to get in the mix.
Tim Bontemps on Twitter
Anthony Davis requesting a trade, as @wojespn has reported, gives teams other than Boston a chance to get involved before the trade deadline while Boston can’t because it already traded for Kyrie Irving while on a Rose rule deal. Celtics arguably can offer the best deal for him.
Due to the “Rose Rule” in the current CBA, Boston cannot trade for Davis until Kyrie Irving opts out and signs his new deal in July.
Ainge would then have to have a deal in place and send Kyrie somewhere as part of a blockbuster three-team trade.
Kyrie has been killing it lately for Boston and has said he’s content with his situation. If anybody has the pieces to entice New Orleans, it’s Boston. Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and some draft picks might do it.
