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New York Knicks: Evaluating the Anthony Davis trade assets

By Rob Wolkenbrod

NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 14: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans in action against Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on January 14, 2018 in New York City. The Pelicans defeated the Knicks 123-118 in overtime. 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. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 14: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans in action against Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on January 14, 2018 in New York City. The Pelicans defeated the Knicks 123-118 in overtime. 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. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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New Orleans Pelicans Anthony Davis (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

As the New York Knicks prepare to make an offer for Anthony Davis, what assets do they have to move?

Per Yahoo’s Chris Haynes, the New York Knicks (and the Los Angeles Lakers) are preparing to make an offer for Anthony Davis, who requested a trade from the New Orleans Pelicans Monday. No timetable was given for a trade, but Davis is signed through 2019-20.

To acquire someone of this caliber, it will take assets the Knicks probably will not want to part with. That includes draft picks and young players deemed part of this slow-build “developmental” future.

A handful of these pieces exist on the current roster, but will New York give up whatever it takes to gain another superstar?

With assets to debate moving, let’s look at who exactly the Knicks have at their disposal for a Davis trade:

6. An eight-figure salary

Davis makes a whopping $25.4 million salary in 2018-19. Even if the New York Knicks wait until the offseason, his salary increases to $27.09 million. It’s a haul for anyone to match, so any deal must start with another high-money player, and the Knicks have that.

Courtney Lee, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Enes Kanter all make above $12 million and offer a starting point to equal the money.

Lee has $12.23 million in 2018-19 and $12.79 million in 2019-20. Trading him finally accomplishes the Knicks’ goal of shedding this salary, although for a more expensive one. He rarely plays, anyway, so his inclusion in any deal would not become a surprise.

Hardaway’s salary runs through 2020-21 (on a player option), and for up to $18.97 million. It’s $17.32 million right now, which only separates from Davis’ by about $8 million. Offloading his long-term salary helps the Knicks’ efforts for free agency, even with another big contract around.

Kanter’s $18.6 million is the largest of the bunch, but he’d have to move before this season ends, given the expiring contract. Otherwise, with the unhappy public comments, he’s a candidate to leave long before any trade with New Orleans happens.

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