New York Knicks: Pros and cons of making Anthony Davis trade now
Is an Anthony Davis trade for the New York Knicks realistic before the deadline?
As the NBA runs at maximum speed before the 2019 trade deadline, the New York Knicks were linked to Anthony Davis, again, amid his request for a move away from the New Orleans Pelicans. Per Marc Stein of the New York Times, despite the Kristaps Porzingis trade, Davis has the Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers on “equal footing.”
This is as the Lakers and Pelicans discuss a trade for Davis, but with the Clippers and Bucks as other destinations for the 25 year old.
The trade drama will continue to heat up with the 3:00 p.m. ET deadline ahead, but as the Lakers, and others, eye Davis, should the Knicks jump ahead and try a trade now, rather than waiting?
It’s not a perfect situation to navigate, providing New York pros and cons for jumping into a Davis trade now:
Pro: Move before the Lakers do
The New York Knicks are not the only team on Davis’ list. The Los Angeles Lakers have been connected to him since LeBron James‘ dinner with the Pelicans’ star earlier this season, and it only progressed as the trade request fallout continued.
Los Angeles presented their “godfather” offer to New Orleans, per Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times: Davis and Solomon Hill for Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, Kyle Kuzma, Ivan Zubac, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and two first-round picks. It’s basically every young piece around James, plus draft choices likely to land in the 20s.
It’s a bold offer, but ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported the Pelicans have yet to answer this proposal.
Could their general manager, Dell Demps, change his mind before the 3:00 p.m. ET deadline? If so, that risks the Knicks never receiving their opportunity to trade for Davis and construct their own superteam.
That emphasizes free agency even more, which is also unguaranteed. For all anyone knows, the top names can stick with their incumbent teams. Maybe one or two of them sign with unexpected organizations.
Outdoing the Lakers can swipe a superstar for New York, pending they’re willing to meet the asking price. It would be a coup.