As of January 28, Pelicans F/C Anthony Davis requested a trade from the team. As this doesn’t come as a shock to many, he finally wants to be put in a position to win. At 25 years old, Davis is (arguably) the best young player in the NBA. Any team would love to have the services of the young superstar on their team. Davis, however, wants to go to a contender. Although the trade isn’t in his hands, contenders are the only teams with the assets to acquire him. That’s what we’re here to discuss. Which teams can possibly make a play for Davis, and what they would have to give up?
Davis Joins LeBron Under The Bright Lights of Los Angeles
Lakers Trade: PG Lonzo Ball, SG Kentavious Caldwell Pope, SG Josh Hart, SF Brandon Ingram, 2019 & 2021 first round picks
Pelicans Trade: PF Anthony Davis
The Lakers are the favorite to land Davis. Magic Johnson is going to have to pull off a masterful trade in order to pull him. The Pelicans are willing to trade him to the Lakers, however, at a higher price than any other team. The first-round picks are a must to pull this off. With that comes young assets.
Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, and Brandon Ingram have been the names rumored all season long if a Lakers trade were to happen. Are the Lakers willing to part ways with their future in order to land the five (soon to be six) time all-star? With all the young assets that may leave, one that must stay is PF Kyle Kuzma. Although the young player may have the highest trade value of all of the Lakers’ assets, LA must find a way to retain him. Davis with LeBron would be a killer duo.
The Brow Arrives In The Big Apple
Knicks Trade: C Enes Kanter, SG Tim Hardaway Jr, PG Frank Ntilikina, 2019 first round pick
Pelicans Trade: PF Anthony Davis, G E’Twaun Moore
The only way I see Anthony Davis going to the Knicks is if they give up their 2019 first-round pick (possibly Duke F Zion Williamson). This is something that I think the Knicks will be very hesitant to do. Hardaway Jr and Kanter are currently on the trade block, so New Orleans may be eyeing these two solid players. With the addition of a great-positioned draft pick and the young Ntilikina, this may be enough.
New Orleans is looking to get as many high-quality pieces to replace Davis as they can. With what could be a top-10 pick and some great players to surround around that pick this offer may be hard to turn down. For the Knicks, this puts pressure on them to acquire an all-star this summer for Davis to work with. If that doesn’t happen, Davis may be out the door faster than when he arrived. NY holds as good of a chance as any team on this list.
Davis Joins Kawhi in the 6 to Form The League’s Most Feared Frontcourt
Raptors Trade: PG Delon Wright, SF OG Anunoby, PF Pascal Siakam, C Serge Ibaka, 2020 & 2022 first round picks
Pelicans Trade: PF Anthony Davis
Longshot? Very much so. But, never say never. Anthony Davis has made it clear that he wants to be traded to a contender. The Pelicans want many assets in return. The Raptors have just that.
To start things off, you’re going to need first round picks, which the Raptors have at their disposal. In addition, you need great players. Pascal Siakam is arguably the NBA’s most improved player. Serge Ibaka has proven to be solid across the length of his career. Delon Wright and OG Anunoby provide the Pelicans with much-needed bench depth.
On the other hand, the addition of Anthony Davis would make Toronto clear favorites in the Eastern Conference. PG Kyle Lowry, SF Kawhi Leonard, and Anthony Davis in Toronto are a recipe made for winning championships.
The Greek Freak X The Brow Take Over Milwaukee
Bucks Trade: PG Eric Bledsoe, SF Khris Middleton, PF Thon Maker, 2020 first round pick
Pelicans Trade: PF Anthony Davis, C Jahlil Okafor
Another longshot, but it’s something that can still happen. The Pelicans would be taking two of Milwaukee’s three best players, Thon Maker (who also requested a trade), and their imminent first round pick. Okafor is included as a filler due to incoming trade value.
If Davis wants to be with a contender, why not the up and coming Bucks? It’s safe to say that the addition of him paired up with Giannis may make them a more serious threat in the Eastern Conference. Giving up some of their best players is obviously a huge risk, but for a superstar like Davis, why not?
For the Pelicans, they’d be getting an established PG in Bledsoe. Khris Middleton who, to some, is one of the more underrated players, will have an even bigger role with New Orleans and can fill some of the scoring hole left from Davis.
The Beard X The Brow
Rockets Trade: SG Eric Gordon, C Clint Capela, 2019, 2021, 2023, & 2025 first round picks
Pelicans Trade: PF Anthony Davis
Four first-round picks is absolutely insane, right? Not for the Houston Rockets. Don’t forget that the Rockets reportedly offered the same amount for G Jimmy Butler. The Rockets aren’t a team with young assets for the Pelicans to feed on. Eric Gordon and Clint Capela are among the Rockets’ biggest pieces in their run to a potential championship. The draft picks will give the Pelicans all the young players they need over the years as well as a new young big man at the center of it.
On the other side, the Rockets would be absolutely stacked. The red-hot Harden, with “point god” Chris Paul, and to top it all off, Anthony Davis. A big three that can perhaps finally be enough to knock off the Warriors in the West. The risk here? The Rockets are basically trading away their future. But if it means winning a championship, the Rockets should be all-in.
The Boston Situation
Boston is unable to trade for Anthony Davis this season due to the Rose Rule. Prior to trading for G Kyrie Irving last season, he was a designated player. Anthony Davis is a designated player as well, and the rule states that a team isn’t allowed to have two designated players on their roster at the same time. This leaves doubt as to whether Boston would be able to pull off a trade. However, if Kyrie were to restructure his contract, and the Pelicans were to be patient, Boston could land themselves another superstar in July
Celtics Trade: PG Marcus Smart, PG Terry Rozier, SG Jaylen Brown, PF Marcus Morris, 2019 Kings first-round pick, 2021 first-round pick
Pelicans Trade: PF Anthony Davis
Assuming the Celtics don’t make it into the finals, this trade would have to take place in the summer which means many factors can come in. Kyrie’s contract, where the draft picks fall, and free agency can affect the way this trade goes.
For now, this should be the ideal trade package for the Celtics. The Pelicans are most likely going to want SF Jayson Tatum, but the Celtics are giving up enough already. Two first round picks, a young asset in Jaylen Brown, a prominent PG in Terry Rozier, and the heart of Marcus Smart are more than the Pelicans may need.
Along with that comes Marcus Morris who can be a huge help in filling the big man void. Both sides benefit largely in this trade, and for the Celtics, Irving, Davis, and Tatum will be a force. The Celtics have the best trade packages for Anthony Davis in the league, but for them, it’ll take time.
Bonus: Golden State Reigns Supreme
Warriors Trade: G Klay Thompson, F Draymond Green
Pelicans Trade: PF Anthony Davis, PG Elfrid Payton, PG Tim Frazier
Curry. Durant. Davis. Cousins. This is the LEAST likely on this list to happen. But just imagine…
Where do YOU think Anthony Davis will end up?