Knicks rumors: Anthony Davis in New York is idea Rich Paul ‘likes’
If Anthony Davis’ partnership with the Los Angeles Lakers does not succeed, his agent, Rich Paul, ‘likes’ the idea of working with the New York Knicks.
Long before Anthony Davis went from the New Orleans Pelicans to the Los Angeles Lakers, the New York Knicks seemed like a viable destination — prior to the Kristaps Porzingis trade. A potentially worthy player to lead a deal, it, of course, never happened, but even afterward, the Knicks were at least in the sweepstakes.
What if Davis and New York still have a chance, though? Potentially a long shot, especially Davis playing side-by-side with LeBron James, his agent, Rich Paul — according to Marc Berman of the New York Post — “likes the idea of his client in New York.” This is if the Lakers “implode.”
This is not the first time Paul’s appreciation for New York — report or by word — has gone public.
Player-team relationships break down, so Davis exiting Los Angeles after just one season is not outlandish anymore. Kawhi Leonard just walked away from a title win with the Toronto Raptors, although he was not traded to a team among his reported preferences. Paul George, who joined him with the Clippers, maneuvered his way out of Indiana and Oklahoma City within 24 months.
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It is almost normal for top players to not stay with one team for long, making Davis’ return not guaranteed in 2020. He can hit free agency, which allows organizations like the Knicks to pry the Kentucky product from Hollywood and move him across the country.
Plus, the Knicks already made “overtures” for Davis shortly after his Lakers move. That may have jumpstarted them for, at the time, 12 months down the road, with striking out on Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and the other top names.
The Knicks have found trouble star chasing, which will place pressure on them to acquire the next big name available in free agency. After Draymond Green‘s extension with the Golden State Warriors, that weakened an already-shallow free agency to Davis and talented players to fill a team — not to headline them.
That pushes the Knicks to 2021, when they will have another clean payroll to work with, while some of the NBA’s biggest names hit free agency. Plans change due to contract extensions, and this is too far away to even consider.
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Perhaps Davis becomes realistic for the New York Knicks in July, and this all changes. That depends on the Lakers falling apart, which is hardly guaranteed.