Anthony Davis Trade Rumors: Lakers, Knicks, Nets Or Clippers Could Make Multi-Team Deal Soon

The New Orleans Pelicans are monitoring the trade market for Anthony Davis. With the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets all eyeing a deal with the Pelicans, New Orleans is looking to receive a massive haul in exchange for the superstar.

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, New Orleans executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin has begun to explore trade scenarios that could involve multiple teams. The Pelicans’ high asking price is one that the known suitors for Davis probably can’t meet on their own.

Wojnarowski’s latest report states that Griffin wants an All-Star player, a young player with All-Star potential and two first-round picks in a Davis trade. New Orleans reportedly prefers to make a deal days before the June 20 NBA Draft, during which they would likely use at least one pick that they received in exchange for their best player.

Each team that’s actively pursuing a deal for Davis would have a hard time meeting New Orleans’ requirements without getting another team involved in a trade.

The Lakers have potential All-Stars in Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball, as well as future picks, but they don’t have an established star that would be included in a deal. The same goes for the Knicks, who own the No.3 overall pick and six first-rounders from 2020-2023. New York’s chances of making a deal might depend on how the Pelicans view Kevin Knox and Mitchell Robinson.

Maybe Los Angeles will try to package one of their younger players and a draft pick for an All-Star-caliber player that could be sent to New Orleans. New York is likely exploring a similar possibility.

Clippers’ point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander might be an All-Star one day. The team doesn’t own a first-rounder in the 2019 draft, though they do own the Miami Heat’s 2021 pick that would almost certainly be included in a deal. Danilo Gallinari might be the closest thing L.A. has to a current All-Star, but he was drafted 11 years ago and hasn’t ever made an All-Star team.

The Nets actually have an All-Star to trade in D’Angelo Russell. He’s a restricted free agent, so the Pelicans would likely have to be willing to pay him a max contract. Brooklyn, however, just traded two first-round picks to the Atlanta Hawks in order to free up cap space.

The Boston Celtics were once considered the favorites to trade for Davis, but they aren’t expected to make the best offer with Kyrie Irving likely headed elsewhere in free agency.

Before what’s expected to be the wildest summer in NBA history, the Pelicans could have a major influence on the landscape of the league. Another star could look to join Davis on his new team, potentially creating the championship favorite for the 2019-2020 season.