Knicks Will Pursue Anthony Davis Trade, Kristaps Porzingis & No.1 Draft Pick Could Entice Pelicans

Most of the trade rumors involving Anthony Davis this season have included the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics, but they aren’t the only possible destinations for the NBA’s best big man. The New York Knicks are expected to pursue a deal with the New Orleans Pelicans.

After reporting that Davis has informed the Pelicans he won’t sign a contract extension this offseason, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski noted that the Knicks will be “aggressive” in trying to land the 25-year-old. Rich Paul, Davis’ agent, told New Orleans that his client would like to be dealt before the Feb.7 trade deadline.

Paul told Wojnarowski that Davis’ preferred destination is “a team that allows him the chance to win consistently and compete for a championship.” Davis can’t control where New Orleans sends him, but any team that acquires him would risk losing him as a free agent in 2020.

Los Angeles and Boston both fit that description. New York doesn’t, at least at the moment, though they do have the assets to put them among the top contenders for Davis.

Any trade talks between the Knicks and Pelicans would have to start with Kristaps Porzingis. The 23-year-old hasn’t played this season as he recovers from a torn ACL, but he has a chance to become one of the league’s best players when healthy. Porzingis made the All-Star team in his third NBA season last year, averaging 22.7 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game before getting injured.

Kevin Knox would likely have to be included in a deal, as well. The 2018 No.9 overall pick has had his ups and downs while showing plenty of promise. Knox is averaging 12.0 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. He was named the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month in December as a 19-year-old.

If the Knicks really want to force the Pelicans’ hand this season, they might have to put their 2019 first-round pick on the table. With the NBA’s second-worst record, New York has as good of a chance as anyone to win the lottery and get the No.1 pick. Duke’s Zion Williamson might be the best NBA prospect since Davis went first overall in 2012.

The teams that finish the 2018-2019 season with the three worst records will all have a 14 percent chance of winning the lottery. If the Knicks hold onto the second-worst record, their first pick can’t fall lower than No.6.

Before the season began, Knicks’ president Steve Mills said the team wouldn’t trade draft picks for players like the organization had done in the past. Now that a player of Davis’ caliber could be available, New York might have to revisit that stance.