Here’s what AD suitors can offer
TORONTO — The Pelicans’ latest attempts at convincing Anthony Davis to stay was, as expected, futile. The relationship is beyond repair and neither a new team president (David Griffin) nor a sparkling new teammate (Zion Williamson) were going to change that.
ESPN reported Monday that Griffin has moved to the next phase and laid out his preferences in a trade for Davis. He also issued a rapidly-approaching deadline. As the Daily News reported at the draft lottery, the Knicks are highly motivated to deal for the All-Star and the other active suitors, according to ESPN, include the Nets, Clippers and Lakers.
Griffin reportedly wants a deal struck “days prior” to the draft on June 20 so that he could scout the prospects before making a choice. His demands for Davis include the following, according to ESPN: an All-Star player, a young player with All-Star potential and two firstround picks.
It’s unlikely that one team — except for possibly Boston — can meet such requirements in a straight swap. That makes a multi-team deal more likely. The other layer is Davis will be an unrestricted free agent next year, so a steep price for a rental is a danger.
Here are assets available for the four big-market suitors, plus two wild-card scenarios:
Top players: Mitchell Robinson, Dennis Smith, Kevin Knox
2019 draft pick in 2019: 3rd overall.
Other assets: Cap space and future firsts, including two first-round picks from Dallas acquired in Kristaps Porzingis trade (unprotected in 2021 and top-10 protected in 2023).
Among the suitors, the Knicks have the worst crop of players (that’s why they won 17 games) but the best draft asset at third overall. According to a league source, the Pelicans aren’t high on Knox as a prospect, which means Robinson is really the only asset on the roster. In other words, the Knicks will have to find a third team to flip their draft picks to meet New Orleans’ preference of a current All-Star and a future All-Star. The Knicks’ chances lie with how much the Pelicans value RJ Barrett, who is the expected third pick. Complicating matters is the reported deadline, which is well before free agency on June 30. If the Knicks trade for Davis, it will be before any other star (ahem, Kevin Durant) can commit in free agency.
Top players: D’Angelo Russell, Caris LeVert, Spencer Dinwiddie, Jarrett Allen
2019 draft pick: 27th overall
Other assets: Cap space and future firsts
Russell is an All-Star, but will be difficult to deal because he’s a restricted free agent in the summer, meaning he’ll have to sign off on a move to New Orleans. LeVert, Dinwiddie and Allen are nice prospects, but labeling them future All-Stars is a stretch. Since they just gave up two first-round picks in a trade to create cap space, it’s hard to see a way the Nets can match the offers for Davis. If the trade occurs before or during the draft, they’ll also be working under the threat of striking out in free agency and losing Davis the next summer.
Top players:
Kyle Kuzma
2019 draft pick: 4th overall
Other assets: Cap space and future picks
Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram,
The Lakers were denied by the Pelicans at the trade deadline last season, but both front offices have since changed and Los Angeles hopes that any animosity (there was plenty) has deteriorated. The Lakers have better prospects than the Knicks and the luxury of going all-in on a trade without worrying about free agency (they already have another superstar in LeBron James).
Top players: Shai GilgeousAlexander, Landry Shamet, Lou Williams, Montrezl Harrell, Danilo Gallinari
2019 draft pick: None Other assets: Cap space and future picks, including the Miami Heat’s unprotected in 2021.
The Clippers own solid prospects — especially Gilgeous-Alexander — but can’t match the draft pick the Knicks and Lakers will offer (3rd and 4th, respectively). Like with the Knicks and Nets, the hope for the Clippers would be to team up Davis with a marquee free agent. They’ve got their sights on Kawhi Leonard, but he could stay in Toronto.
Top players: Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Gordon Hayward, Marcus Smart
2019 draft pick(s): 14th, 20th, 22nd.
Other assets: Future picks, including the Grizzlies’ 2020 pick (top-6 protected).
The Celtics have always had the best assets to complete a deal but are contemplated another reboot because Kyrie Irving is expected to leave in free agency. Unloading their assets for Davis would be a great risk for GM Danny Ainge because of the threat he’ll leave next summer.
The Others
The Raptors are proof that gambling on a superstar can pay off. Davis is a superstar and there are a few teams in mind that are in position to take the dive. What about a Sixers offer that starts with Ben Simmons? As we learned with the trades of Leonard and Paul George, it’s often the team you’re not thinking about.