Matt Slocum/Associated Press
4. New York Knicks
Trade Package: Kevin Knox, Dennis Smith Jr., Frank Ntilikina, 2019 first-round pick
The Knicks reportedly made Davis’ short list, and it’s obvious the market appeals to him.
“It’s a great franchise, playing in the Garden, the city,” Davis said, per Marc Berman of the New York Post.
It isn’t hard to imagine New York’s offer would be appealing to New Orleans, provided the Knicks avoid disaster at the draft lottery. If they climb to No. 1, they might be in the driver’s seat, since Zion Williamson might top everything on the market. But even if they don’t, they could discover the Pelicans are big fans of RJ Barrett, Ja Morant or another top prospect.
As long as the pick anchors the offer, then the players can form a strong supporting cast. Each was a top-10 selection in one of the past two drafts. Knox and Ntilikina would give New Orleans loads of length and athleticism on the perimeter. Smith could make for a relentless backcourt partner for Holiday as a downhill attacker and capable drive-and-kick creator.
3. Chicago Bulls
Trade Package: Lauri Markkanen, Zach LaVine, 2019 first-round pick
The Pelicans’ primary focus in a Davis deal is landing “a young player … who has the potential to become an All-NBA performer,” per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Markkanen and LaVine might both fit that bill, plus there’s a 12.5-percent chance that pick becomes this summer’s first overall. That’s quite the mammoth offer.
LaVine has effectively erased concerns about his post-ACL recovery, hitting career-highs of 23.8 points, 4.6 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 46.7 percent shooting. Five players hit those marks last season; four were All-NBA selections, and the fifth would’ve been if not for an Achilles rupture (DeMarcus Cousins).
Markkanen is averaging better than 18 points, eight boards and two triples. Only nine other players have previously done that. Eight have been All-NBA selections; the ninth, Antoine Walker, was a three-time All-Star.
There are legitimate questions of whether Chicago would offer this much, especially when there are whispers Davis doesn’t want to play for his hometown team. But if the Bulls decide to gamble, they’d hold one of the strongest hands at the table.
2. Philadelphia 76ers
Trade Package: Ben Simmons, Zhaire Smith, 2019 second-round pick
Throughout the course of NBA history, only one player has averaged 16 points, eight rebounds and eight assists over his first and second seasons: Hall of Fame stat-sheet stuffer Oscar Robertson. That number is about to double thanks to Simmons, who might be the best individual trade chip reasonably connected to the Davis discussion, as PhillyVoice’s Kyle Neubeck wrote:
“He does almost anything you could ask him to do. He has scheme-changing potential as a defender, where he can be weaponized routinely from 1-4 and in smaller doses as a nominal big. He is unselfish, which is reflected by his tendency to pass but also by his willingness to take on different assignments each night for Philadelphia. The accumulated numbers so far have been staggering.”
Simmons is a 6’10” floor general. You never see that. Even if he never expands his scoring range, he could still be a generational talent. Oh, and he’s 22 years old. Granted, those are probably all reasons Philly might prefer to just keep him, but if this bold front office has an eye for Davis, Simmons could be its golden ticket.
Smith and the second-rounder are sweeteners. Smith is an explosive athlete who doesn’t turn 20 until June. The second-round pick is coming from Chicago, meaning it functions as almost a late-first.
1. Boston Celtics
Trade Package: Jayson Tatum, Gordon Hayward, Marcus Smart, two first-round picks
The biggest incentive for the Pelicans to keep Davis past the deadline was to ensure the Celtics could place their bid. Boston has as many trade chips as anyone, and reportedly made clear it would have an “explosive package” ready and “that no specific player will be off limits in negotiations,” sources told Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe.
That’s almost certainly a long-winded way of saying that the prized youngster, Tatum, would be made available, which even he understands.
The 21-year-old looks like an All-Star in training, his potential best captured in last year’s Kyrie Irving-less breakout, when Tatum grabbed the offensive reins and delivered 18.5 points on 47.5 percent shooting. Tatum might not be meeting the most optimistic expectations for his sophomore season, but he has elevated his counting categories across the board.
If the Celtics are willing to move Tatum, they’d probably give the Pelicans relatively free rein to pick their favorites from Boston’s mountain of assets. This particular arrangement, though, keeps Jaylen Brown with the Shamrocks, while instead shipping out a former All-Star in Hayward, a dogged defender in Smart and two first-round picks from its expansive collection.
Statistics used courtesy of Basketball Reference and NBA.com and current heading into games on Monday, March 18.
Zach Buckley covers the NBA for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter: @ZachBuckleyNBA.
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