A comprehensive ranking of all Knicks, Lakers and Celtics trade assets for Anthony Davis
By Dan Knitzer
NBA Trade Rumors: With the likelihood that Anthony Davis will be traded over the next few weeks, here is a comprehensive ranking of potential trade assets of a few teams interested
The writing has been on the wall, and on social media, and on Looney Tunes t-shirts for a while now. Anthony Davis will be gone and probably to either the Knicks, Lakers or Celtics (though there are plenty of dark horse teams who could swoop in a la the Toronto Raptors trading for Kawhi Leonard).
Each of these teams has great individual assets that the Pelicans would probably like to mix-and-match, in an ideal trade scenario. Here is a ranking of the 12 best assets among the three teams:
1. Jayson Tatum
Although he had a rough sophomore season, still has all star potential, if not franchise player potential, and the Pelicans are smart to covet him. In the right situation, with more touches, only a fool would expect Tatum not to flourish. The 2019 Celtics was clearly not the right situation for his talents, and it’s fairly easy to see Tatum making the next All-Star team if he were paired with Zion Williamson.
2. The Knicks No. 3 pick (2019 NBA Draft)
Presumptive No. 3 pick RJ Barrett will be a very solid player. I asked my roommate to take the over or under that RJ will be a 2.5 time all star he took the over. So did my coworker.
3. The Lakers No. 4 pick (2019 NBA Draft)
Even though this is a two or three player draft, this pick is very valuable are the Lakers are extremely lucky to have moved so far up the draft board. If the Pelicans were to trade with the Lakers, either before or after draft night, they’d have a very movable asset, or a secondary franchise building block to pair with Zion.
4. The Memphis Grizzlies pick, via Boston (2020 NBA Draft)
Protected for picks 1-6 next year, and unprotected in 2021. The Grizzlies simply will not be good this year, or next.
5. Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
He re-established himself in the second half of the regular season and in the postseason as a solid player and maybe a future All-Star. If this weren’t the last deal of his rookie contract, after which point he will demand huge raise, he might be the most valuable asset.
6. Kyle Kuzma, Los Angeles Lakers
He probably doesn’t have All-Star ceiling, but Kuzma’s a dynamite six man who’s making less than $2 million this coming year and less than $4 in 2020-2021. That $6+ million dollar annual savings is enough to put him over:
7. Lonzo Ball, Los Angeles Lakers
I still really believe in Lonzo. A lockdown defender, strong rebounder and exceptional passer, he would flourish on the right team–one with good shooters–and easily average 10 assists per game, but in a meaningful way not in an empty stats, Rajon Rondo type of way
8. The two Mavericks picks, via New York (2021, 2023 NBA Draft)
The 2021 pick is unprotected, while the 2023 pick is protected 1-10 for a few years. The prospect of picks in a “double draft” is slightly better than:
9. The three picks Boston owns this year (2019 NBA Draft)
Not many players selected at 14, 20 or 22 turn into average level starters, so having multiple picks in this range can help the Pelicans stay confident at least one of this mid-first rounders will pan out.
10. Brandon Ingram, Los Angeles Lakers
Like Jaylen Brown, Ingram’s value is hurt by the fact that this is the last year before he’s likely to get a big pay raise. His blood clot issue (which may actually compel him to sign a cheaper extension for guaranteed years, a win for his team) is not as big a deal as the fact that he’s just not as good as brown.
Still, there’s plenty of evidence to suggest a very poor–but not broke–man’s Paul George/Kevin Durant would fit next to Zion, and the Pelicans are interested.
11. Dennis Smith Jr., Dallas Mavericks
He’ll never be an All-Star but he’ll be a starter or sixth man for for many years to come. Like Kuzma, he’s under team control for two more years at a very fair price. The Pelicans could theoretically hold on to him or move him in a separate trade this summer and feel satisfied.
12. The Other Knicks
None of Frankie Smokes, Mitchell Robinson and Kevin Knox looked like future All-Stars last year, though Robinson clearly can be an impact player.
Next. Los Angeles Clippers: How their first round exit became a sales pitch. dark
While there’s a case to be made that this trio is more valuable than Boston’s arsenal of 2019 first round picks or the Knicks future picks owed by Dallas, a trade fetching no sure-thing starters would be poorly received in New Orleans.