New York Knicks: Anthony Davis meets with Pelicans as offseason nears

For any prospect of the New York Knicks trading for Anthony Davis, it may have improved via meeting with the New Orleans Pelicans Wednesday.

The New York Knicks’ connection to Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and other big names have all arisen from free agency, as the team looks to consume its cap space with maximum contracts. Anthony Davis is the other player long linked, but via trade since he has one year left on a five-year contract.

Davis’ situation with the New Orleans Pelicans remains in limbo, even with the trade request from January. Failed discussions with the Los Angeles Lakers created an awkward situation after the trade deadline, and this kept other potential suitors in the mix for this superstar.

The David Griffin regime is in place in New Orleans, however, which offers a new organization look for Davis to consider sticking with. Plus, the No. 1 pick will convey Zion Williamson.

Per The Athletic and Stadium’s Shams Charania, both parties met Wednesday to discuss Davis’ future; but his stance on a trade is “highly unlikely” to change.

It does not seem that the dialogue between Griffin, Davis and Rich Paul is complete, which could open the door for this group to stay together.

However, a decision arriving soon is logical. The draft is three weeks away, and the Knicks and Lakers own the No. 3 and 4 picks, respectively. New Orleans acquiring either selection can lead a trade, especially to pair Williamson with his Duke teammate RJ Barrett, Texas Tech’s Jarrett Culver, Virginia’s De’Andre Hunter or another top prospect available.

Acquiring a pick before the draft allows the Pelicans to pick their player, rather than taking whoever the Knicks or Lakers select days or weeks later.

The Knicks would potentially have to include multiple pieces with the No. 3 pick. Mitchell Robinson and Kevin Knox were already linked to the Pelicans, and Allonzo Trier, Damyean Dotson, Dennis Smith Jr. and Frank Ntilikina are young pieces who remain on the roster.

ESPN’s Bobby Marks previously told the New York Post that it could hypothetically take Knox, Ntilikina, Dallas’ 2021 and 2023 first-round picks and when the Knicks were lined up for the No. 1 pick for Davis.

Without the first selection, the Knicks may even have to increase this hypothetical offer, depending on what Griffin wants and how it stands to the Lakers and even Boston’s potential packages, which can include more established young players.

While creating the proper package of players and picks is a hiccup for the New York Knicks, their chances at Davis seem fine as long as his trade request stands.