NBA Trade Rumors: Examining the trade market for Anthony Davis

New Orleans Pelicans: Examining the trade market for Anthony Davis

NEW ORLEANS, LA - FEBRUARY 23: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts during a game against Houston Rockets at the Smoothie King Center on February 23, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

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LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 16: Dennis Smith Jr. #1 of the Dallas Mavericks goes up for a layup against Ivica Zubac #40 of the Los Angeles Lakers during a semifinal game of the 2017 Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 16, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

How about the Dallas Mavericks?

Dennis Smith Jr. hasn’t played a game yet, but trails only Lonzo Ball as the odds-on favorite for Rookie of the Year. He looks every bit the part of the type of guard you want to build around in 2017 and beyond.

The Mavs also have a ton of cap room and were a known suitor for Jrue Holiday’s services in July. If the Mavs sent back Dwight Powell in the deal, the Pelicans would potentially be able to unload Holiday’s salary on Dallas.

At first blush, New Orleans would no doubt scoff at setting up a division rival with two players likely to transform them into an instant contender. Upon further review, they’d realize that a) Holiday has no value to them if their goal is to tank and b) no one else in the league is giving up anything of value for him.

The likelihood of this trade would come down to where Dallas’ pick ended up. If it’s in the top five, there’s a real possibility that Smith and the pick could be the centerpieces of a trade (they’d probably need to send an additional pick elsewhere to a team with cap room that would then take on another one of New Orleans’ unwanted contracts).

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