NBA Rumors: Knicks May Offer Pick To Pelicans For Davis

The New York Knicks were among the teams hoping to gain good graces by getting the rights to the first overall pick. That privilege, however, fell to the New Orleans Pelicans, and the Knicks eventually settled for the right to select overall. Regardless, that position still puts them in contention to snag whoever is left among Zion Williamson, R.J. Barrett, and Ja Morant. This is assuming they intend to keep the rights to the pick.

One player that is in focus this coming NBA season is Anthony Davis. Even though the Pelicans were lucky enough to get the rights to the first overall pick, the 26-year-old cager remains adamant that he wants out of New Orleans this summer. Williamson is likely to be the Pelicans' selection, a coming that would have given the team quite a frontline along with Davis and Julius Randle. So rather than force the issue and try to convince Davis, the Pelicans could be listening to offers for him. The Knicks could be in a good position to pitch an offer involving their rights to the third overall selection.

The Knicks could land a top rookie in the coming NBA Draft, a perfect addition to the rebuilding squad focusing on youth. But at 26, there is no denying Davis is a young and proven talent that could turn things around as early as next season. Weighing those two things, New York could study that proposition and package some players in the process for the Pelicans, NBC Sports reported.

According to the Shams Charania, the Knicks were reportedly planning to shift their focus on the NBA All-Star center had they gotten the rights to pick first in the 2019 NBA Draft. With all that foiled, there is still a chance New York could tweak the script and try to offer that to New Orleans although it may take the addition of some players and other perks. It could be anyone from the current roster, a sacrifice that may worth it for the Gotham-based squad.

At this point, it may be too early to tell. It all depends on what head coach David Fizdale and team owner James Dolan have in mind. Whatever it is, they need to act fast. The Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics are expected to make a push for Davis, same with other teams which have the benefit of salary space.