NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 23: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks to pass as Evan Fournier #13 of the New York Knicks defends in the second half at Madison Square Garden on November 23, 2021 in New York City. The New York Knicks defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 106-100. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 23: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks to pass as Evan Fournier #13 of the New York Knicks defends in the second half at Madison Square Garden on November 23, 2021 in New York City. The New York Knicks defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 106-100. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Knicks Rumors

This Anthony Davis trade would positively rewrite the narrative surrounding Knicks

by Allen Settle
Next1 of 3Prev post
Use your ← → (arrows) to browse

I can already feel the ire of Knicks fans. The moment the title was read, I imagine most New York faithful felt anger and frustration well up inside. Why would the Knicks even consider trading their stash of assets for an oft-injured star in Anthony Davis who isn’t elevating his current team? The notion seems ridiculous? Right?

Or could there be merit in considering such a deal (at the right price of course)? And is there a trade path that makes sense for both teams? If you’d allow me, I’d love to explore the nuance of why I believe that considering an AD to the Knicks trade is in the franchise’s best interest.

The superstar infusion for the Knicks

I get it. Anthony Davis is no longer thought of as the same bonafide, young superstar that he was during the end of his tenure in New Orleans. A combination of injuries, shooting woes, and a tendency to disappear at times has caused his evaluation to shift considerably.

But I urge you not to look past what Davis still is. His 23.2 points per game over the past two seasons is right in line with his career average of 23.8. He is still on the fringe of double-digit rebounds per game. And he is still an elite shot blocker and defensive presence. Also, he is still only 29 years old.

For all of the hope and hype surrounding each class of superstar, reality has shown that star players are not gravitating toward the Knicks. LeBron passed them up. Twice. Prime Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving elected to land with the crosstown Nets. The list of superstars over the past decade who spurned an opportunity to play in MSG is depressingly long.

For all the talk of star acquisition, what is the Knicks’ actual path toward an infusion of All-Star talent? Perhaps Barrett makes a late leap into stardom. If he does not, where does this leave the current incarnation of the Knicks? With an overpaid and underperforming big three of Julius Randle, Jalen Brunson, and Barrett.

I get the temptation to hold on to what we have and hope for the best. But, in a vacuum, isn’t it at least worth considering what it would cost to move off some of their bad contracts and non All-Star players in exchange for a 20+ point, 10+ rebound star?

This brings us to…

Next: The price tag

<div class="details"> <div class="team-name">Knicks Get</div> <div class="info">RJ Barrett, Obi Toppin</div> <div class="info">Julius Randle, Evan Fournier</div> <div class="info">Three First-Round Picks</div> <div class="info">One Second-Round Pick</div> </div> </div> <div class="separator"></div> <div class="team b"> <div class="logo"><img src=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/11/11/anthony-davis-trade-positively-rewrite-narrative-surrounding-knicks/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Flakers.png">
<div class="details"> <div class="team-name">Lakers Get</div> <div class="info">Anthony Davis</div> <div class="info">Patrick Beverley</div> <div class="info">Kendrick Nunn</div> <div class="info">Troy Brown</div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <p>For the record, if pressed, I could be persuaded to add a pick swap in the deal as well.</p> <p>The Lakers would add shooting in Fournier and across the board. They would get a huge boost in athleticism and defense with Barrett and Toppin. Randle could play the five. And, for the first time in a while, LeBron would have legitimate spacing around him. Plus, the two draft picks would provide assets to further improve a roster in dire need of a shakeup.</p> <p>On a side note, the picks would also put Los Angeles in a position to move forward with a <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/11/11/anthony-davis-trade-positively-rewrite-narrative-surrounding-knicks/"https://nba.nbcsports.com/2022/10/03/lakers-reportedly-seriously-considered-westbrook-trade-for-hield-turner/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">long-rumored trade</a> sending Russell Westbrook and picks to the Pacers for Buddy Hield and Myles Turner.</p> <p>This sets up the Lakers for a potential lineup that features:</p> <ul> <li>PG: LeBron James</li> <li>SG: Buddy Hield</li> <li>SF: RJ Barrett</li> <li>PF: Julius Randle</li> <li>C: Myles Turner</li> <li>Bench: Obi Toppin, Evan Fournier, Lonnie Walker, and Dennis Schroder</li> </ul> <p>I don’t know that this is the best package that LA might receive for Davis. But, all things considered, I do think it would give New York a legitimate chance at a star.</p> <p>The Knicks, on the other hand, would add a legitimate superstar before his 30th birthday and would retain supporting talent in Brunson, Grimes, Quickley, and Derrick Rose. Additionally, they would move off of <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/11/11/anthony-davis-trade-positively-rewrite-narrative-surrounding-knicks/"https://dailyknicks.com/2022/11/05/makes-sense-knicks-trade-evan-fournier-julius-randle/">Randle and Fournier’s contracts</a>, while retaining some draft capital along the way.</p> <p>For the record, retaining Robinson, whose salary becomes nearly impossible to include if Randle is part of the deal, could prove quite valuable. Despite his seven-foot frame, Davis has long lamented playing center. Keeping Robinson at the five would allow Davis to stay at his preferred power forward position. Since injuries are a legitimate concern, this could limit wear and tear on Davis’ body.</p> <p>While Beverley, Nunn, and Brown are included only to make the salaries match, they could also prove as serviceable depth pieces as needed.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #007BC1" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/11/11/anthony-davis-trade-positively-rewrite-narrative-surrounding-knicks/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> The postseason implications </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_135667" class="wp-caption alignnone"> <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-135667" src=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/11/11/anthony-davis-trade-positively-rewrite-narrative-surrounding-knicks/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2086,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fdailyknicks.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1273789776.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2086" srcset="https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1273789776.jpeg 3200w, https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1273789776-768x501.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) – New York Knicks</p> </div> <h3>The postseason implications</h3> <p>Before you blast the deal above, consider how this move would factor into New York’s postseason future. Where does the following roster rank in the East?</p> <ul> <li>PG: Jalen Brunson</li> <li>SG: Immanuel Quickley</li> <li>SF: Quentin Grimes</li> <li>PF: Anthony Davis</li> <li>C: Mitchell Robinson</li> <li>Bench: Derrick Rose, Isaiah Hartenstein, Kendrick Nunn, Patrick Beverley</li> </ul> <p>Unless Davis recaptures his top form (which should not necessarily be the expectation), this team does not crack the top tier alongside the Bucks, Heat, Celtics, Cavaliers, and, for the sake of argument, the 76ers (when healthy). It does, however, place them firmly alongside the Hawks, Raptors, and Bulls in tier No. 2.</p> <p>The backcourt defense would be weak but Grimes, Davis, and Robinson are all plus defenders. And the rim protection would be amongst the best in the league!</p> <p>Additionally, this lineup would provide optimal spacing on offense, particularly if the change in scenery and improved shooting lineup around him help Davis recapture a reliable mid-to-long-range jump shot.</p> <p>This means New York would be in a prime position to consistently <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/11/11/anthony-davis-trade-positively-rewrite-narrative-surrounding-knicks/"https://dailyknicks.com/2022/10/02/new-york-knicks-lock-playoffs-2022-23-season/">contend for the playoffs</a> in each season over the next half-decade. If a few picks/signings result in good-to-slightly-above-average supporting players, the Knicks would have a path to consistently compete for home court in each postseason.</p> <h2>An Anthony Davis trade is one worth exploring for the Knicks</h2> <p>This type of sustained success would completely rewrite the narrative surrounding the Knicks. You saw the hype and excitement surrounding the team during their recent Julius Randle-led postseason berth. While that window toward that recurring appears all but closed with the current core, imagine the difference that a star like Davis could make.</p> <p>New York’s front office would be wise to punt and consider the next option if a bidding war drives up the price tag too high. There should, however, come a point where the Knicks consider converting their middling talent into a legitimate All-Star to build around.</p> <p>I contend that, despite the current narrative, Anthony Davis is worth serious consideration as that building block.</p> <div class="embed "> <blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="9Y52w49slX"><p><a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/11/11/anthony-davis-trade-positively-rewrite-narrative-surrounding-knicks/"https://dailyknicks.com/2022/11/10/4-megastars-new-york-knicks-happy-trade-trove-picks/">4 Megastars New York Knicks would be happy to trade trove of picks for</a></p></blockquote> <p><iframe class="wp-embedded-content" sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" style="position: absolute; clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);" src=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/11/11/anthony-davis-trade-positively-rewrite-narrative-surrounding-knicks/"https://dailyknicks.com/2022/11/10/4-megastars-new-york-knicks-happy-trade-trove-picks/embed/#?secret=9Y52w49slX" data-secret="9Y52w49slX" width="500" height="282" title="“4 Megastars New York Knicks would be happy to trade trove of picks for” — Daily Knicks" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></p></div><!—pageview_candidate—>">