Arguably one of the best talented centers of the decade, it seems like New Orleans Pelicans superstar Anthony Davis is still growing better every game. His versatile array of moves on offense and excellent instincts on defense have pegged him as an MVP candidate in the past couple of seasons.
But during his seven-year stint in New Orleans, Davis hasn’t had much luck in terms of team success. The Pelicans front office has failed to surround the 25-year old with enough pieces to make them an elite championship contender. Time is running out in the Big Easy, as Davis is set to become an unrestricted free agent in 2020 should he elect to opt out of his current contract with the team.
Amidst the tension and pressure in the Pelicans organization, there has been growing clamors for the team to gauge the interest of the trade market for Anthony Davis. Though New Orleans is keeping Davis this season, it’s still interesting to see how each NBA team would try to pry the All-Star big man off New Orleans.
With huge help from the ESPN’s Trade Machine, we explore and rank the best trade that all 29 teams can offer to get the services of Anthony Davis this summer.
29. Golden State Warriors
Trade Assets: Draymond Green, Klay Thompson
Additional Assets from NOP: E’Twaun Moore
Possibility: Extremely Unlikely
This would be just absurd. Even with the possibility that Klay could walk in free agency and sign with another team in the summer, the Warriors organization is reportedly very confident that the All-Star shooting guard will stay in the Bay, allowing them to then pursue this move.
On paper, this could arguably be the best offer that the Pelicans could receive, but it’s almost impossible for Golden State to let go of both Green and Thompson. While Moore has been very solid from beyond the arc this season (43%), there’s no way he could match Klay’s ability to be an outstanding two-way player.
28. Boston Celtics
Trade Assets: Al Horford, Jaylen Brown, 2019 1st-round Pick (from Memphis)
Additional Assets from NOP: None
Possibility: Extremely Unlikely
First off, this deal is ultimately impossible because of the Rose Rule. No two players whose contracts are under the Rose Rule can play for the same team. Unfortunately, both Davis and Kyrie Irving are those under that rule. So, unless the Celtics include Kyrie in this deal, this trade will be impossible to pull off.
27. Brooklyn Nets
Trade Assets: D’Angelo Russell, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Allen Crabbe, 2019 1st-round Pick
Additional Assets from NOP: E’Twaun Moore
Possibility: Extremely Unlikely
The Nets simply don’t have enough valuable assets to convince New Orleans to accept this offer. While Russell and Hollis-Jefferson have certainly improved this season, it’s still debatable if they could take on leadership roles in their new team. Add to that the fact that Crabbe is owed a massive $18M next year, this deal would be an obvious loss for the Pelicans.
26. Atlanta Hawks
Trade Assets: Kent Bazemore, Dewayne Dedmon, 2019 1st-round Pick
Additional Assets from NOP: None
Possibility: Extremely Unlikely
Even if they try to trade him, the Pelicans would certainly still care about Davis’ situation. Davis would absolutely want to play for a championship now, and moving him to Atlanta will just frustrate him. Bazemore and Dedmon are good role players, and it’s quite difficult to see how they would go above that role. The draft pick, which could be a Top-5 guarantee in this year’s draft, is intriguing, but not enough. This is also pending Bazemore picking up his player option.
25. Charlotte Hornets
Trade Assets: Nicolas Batum, Miles Bridges, Willy Hernangomez, 2019 1st-round Pick
Additional Assets from NOP: Darius Miller
Possibility: Extremely Unlikely
The Pelicans would get two intriguing wing prospects in Batum and Bridges in this deal. The downside of it is that Batum’s contract extends through 2021, and the high-leaping Bridges is yet to show promise of becoming an excellent shooter from deep (29%).
Hernangomez is the only safe bet here with his ability to space out the floor and rebound the ball consistently. The Pelicans would only let go of the 6-foot-8 Miller, a young but solid 3-and-D player, but the Hornets’ 1st-round pick this summer doesn’t pack much gusto with the incoming weak lottery draft outside the Top-5 prospects.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers
Trade Assets: Kevin Love, Cedi Osman, 2021 1st-round Pick (from Milwaukee)
Additional Assets from NOP: None
Possibility: Unlikely
Both Davis and the Pelicans don’t have much to be happy about this deal. Davis, who is already tired of losing, would go to a young, rebuilding Cavaliers team that is arguably 3-4 years away from becoming a playoff team again. While Osman is an exciting prospect at the combo wing position, getting Love could be like walking on eggshells. The All-Star power forward’s history with injuries is not something the Pelicans could just ignore.
23. San Antonio Spurs
Trade Assets: LaMarcus Aldridge, Bryn Forbes, 2019 and 2020 1st-round Picks
Additional Assets from NOP: None
Possibility: Unlikely
The Pelicans organization would certainly take a look on this if this happened five years ago. But no, we’re in 2019, and Aldridge is on his last couple of years of being a borderline All-Star in the league. Forbes is a young intelligent point guard, the usual mold of a playmaker who grew under Gregg Popovich’s wings. Yet, he’s nowhere close to being an All-Star caliber guard in the NBA.
22. New York Knicks
Trade Assets: Frank Ntilikina, Kevin Knox, 2019 and 2020 1st-round picks
Additional Assets from NOP: None
Possibility: Unlikely
This looks really good on paper for the Pelicans. Getting a solid shot at drafting Zion Williamson or R.J. Barrett would be a great way to start the rebuilding process. Ntilikina can be developed to be a good defender, and Knox’s emergence this season has been a pleasant surprise.
Still, it’s hard to imagine the Knicks giving up both Knox and a chance at having Zion or Barrett play in New York. Much has been documented about the love of New York fans to these two Duke standouts, and it’s evident in how warmly they welcomed both of them when they played in Madison Square Garden a couple of weeks ago.
21. Minnesota Timberwolves
Trade Assets: Andrew Wiggins, Gorgui Dieng, Dario Saric, Tyus Jones
Additional Assets from NOP: Solomon Hill, Tim Frazier
Possibility: Unlikely
This will be too much money to take in if you’re the Pelicans. Wiggins’ max four-year, $147M contract will be up until the 2022-23 season, while Dieng will earn more than $16M until 2021. Frazier, a journeyman point guard who played steadily last year for the Washington Wizards, will be included here to match up salaries.
While Saric and Jones are two young players who are excellently playing beyond their years, eating up the massive, extended contracts will be a major turn-off for New Orleans.
20. Houston Rockets
Trade Assets: Clint Capela, Eric Gordon, 2019 1st-round Pick
Additional Assets from NOP: None
Possibility: Unlikely
A dynamo trio of Davis, Chris Paul, and James Harden will be enough to topple the defending champions in the Bay this season.
But that won’t be happening. Not now, at least.
Capela’s rise to a prominent, borderline All-Star this year will be Houston’s greatest pitch to New Orleans, but it’s not enough. Capela is yet to develop his shot-making, and he is getting most of his points from lob passes and drop-offs from Harden. Gordon would be a great pick-up, but he is already entering the twilight of his career. All in all, the Rockets don’t have enough assets to interest the Pelicans to give up Davis on this deal.
19. Chicago Bulls
Trade Assets: Wendell Carter Jr., Denzel Valentine, 2019 and 2020 1st-round Picks
Additional Assets from NOP: None
Possibility: Unlikely
Again, this would be a very enticing offer for the Pelicans to consider. Valentine, if healthy, has the potential to be a potent 3-and-D player. The major assets here would be Carter, a young but really outstanding defensive center who could also pick his spots on offense, and the draft pick which could be a surefire Top-5 selection. But then again, Davis wouldn’t want to be traded to another rebuilding team, making this deal an unlikely one.
18. Memphis Grizzlies
Trade Assets: Kyle Anderson, 2020 and 2021 1st-round Picks
Additional Assets from NOP: Darius Miller
Possibility: Unlikely
Anderson is an excellent role player at best, but he is not yet a game-changer. The draft picks are the real kicker here, but the Pelicans have more guaranteed offers they should consider first.
17. Oklahoma City Thunder
Trade Assets: Steven Adams, Dennis Schroder, Terrance Ferguson, 2019 and 2021 1st-round Picks
Additional Assets from NOP: Solomon Hill
Possibility: Unlikely
The Thunder would absolutely love this trade. As for the Pelicans? Absolutely not. Adams is a walking double-double every night, but he is far from making Davis’ solid impact on both ends of the floor.
Schroder is a capable scoring point guard, but the Pelicans already have Jrue Holiday for that. It’s hard to imagine Ferguson becoming a borderline All-Star and those draft picks don’t have much value in them. The only good thing about this trade for the Pelicans front office is they get to dump Hill’s contract, which has a guaranteed $12M next year.
16. Milwaukee Bucks
Trade Assets: Khris Middleton, Tony Snell, Malcolm Brogdon, 2020 1st-round Pick
Additional Assets from NOP: None
Possibility: Unlikely
A Giannis Antetokounmpo-AD partnership this season? Indeed, that would put the Bucks immediately on the top of the East’s elite teams.
It would also be a nice deal for the Pelicans. Middleton is an underrated, two-way shooting guard who has been playing very well under the shadows of Giannis. Snell hasn’t really developed into a game-changing, perimeter player, but he is a disciplined defender. Brogdon, a former Rookie of the Year, is posting career-highs this season.
But, the ultimate setback here is Middleton’s contract, which he can opt out of this summer. If he re-signs and the Pelicans are okay with his contract, this could be a darkhorse destination for AD.
15. Phoenix Suns
Trade Assets: T.J. Warren, Deandre Ayton, Josh Jackson
Additional Assets from NOP: None
Possibility: Likely
Of the bottom-dwelling teams previously mentioned in this list, only the Suns have a solid shot at acquiring Davis. They have an All-Star combo guard in Devin Booker, and a draft pick that has a great chance to land in the Top 3. If Jackson develops his potential in New Orleans, this would be a win for the Pelicans. Ayton is steadily proving critics that he deserves the top overall pick last year, while Warren is a scoring combo forward who would complement Julius Randle well on the frontcourt.
14. Los Angeles Clippers
Trade Assets: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, three future 1st-round picks
Additional Assets from NOP: Elfrid Payton
Possibility: Likely
Gilgeous-Alexander has the length and potential to be All-Star caliber, all-around playmaker in the future.
When the Pelicans open their doors on AD trade negotiations this summer, the Clippers would be the first ones to call with all of the draft picks in their arsenal. Davis’ presence on the team will entice 2019 free agents to take a look at the Clippers. Los Angeles would also get Payton in the deal, a versatile point guard who has vastly improved his three-point shooting (42%) this season.
13. Indiana Pacers
Trade Assets: Myles Turner, Bojan Bogdanovic, Tyreke Evans, 2019 1st-round Pick
Additional Assets from NOP: None
Possibility: Likely
If you’re the Pelicans, this is one of the most complete deals that you can get. Turner is quietly performing under the radar this season, averaging 12.9 points, 2.8 blocks, and a stellar 39% clip from beyond the arc. His ability to stretch the floor will be an impressive fit with the excellent driving abilities of Randle and Jrue Holiday.
Bogdanovic has become one of the top shooters in the NBA, averaging 43% from deep. Evans is an intriguing pick-up as he has declined in terms of production after a spectacular season with the Grizzlies last year. Despite that, Evans will lessen the ball-handling workload of Holiday and be a good sixth man for the team.
12. Miami Heat
Trade Assets: Hassan Whiteside, Josh Richardson, 2019 1st-round Pick
Additional Assets from NOP: Solomon Hill
Possibility: Likely
Despite the fact that Whiteside has been efficient when fielded on the court, Bam Adebayo’s versatility on defense has limited Hassan’s minutes on the floor. Still, he is a more than capable big man who could easily put up a double-double each and every night.
While the Heat has deemed Richardson as an untouchable in trades early this season, Justise Winslow’s emergence on the point guard role could soften Miami’s stand on Richardson.
11. Utah Jazz
Trade Assets: Rudy Gobert, Jae Crowder, 2019 and 2021 1st-round Picks
Additional Assets from NOP: Darius Miller
Possibility: Likely
Gobert just does so much as a defensive anchor. This season, he is posting career-highs in points and rebounds, while becoming Utah’s most valuable player with Donovan Mitchell struggling in the first half of the year. Crowder has proven time and time again that he is a tough 3-and-D player, a glue guy that successful NBA teams usually need. For Utah, the AD-Mitchell duo will be a force to reckon with for years to come.
10. Detroit Pistons
Trade Assets: Andre Drummond, Reggie Jackson, Stanley Johnson
Additional Assets from NOP: Solomon Hill, Elfrid Payton
Possibility: Likely
For the Pistons, you have to move on from the Drummond-Blake Griffin experiment. It’s just not working, so shipping Drummond could be something that the team could explore. For the Pelicans, they will acquire another young All-Star in Drummond, a capable perimeter defender in Johnson, and a scoring combo guard in Jackson. Holiday has always thrived in playing with a point guard, so inserting Jackson to the rotation won’t be a problem. Overall, this is one of the most enticing deals in the list so far.
9. Orlando Magic
Trade Assets: Nikola Vucevic, Aaron Gordon, Terrence Ross, 2020 1st-round Pick
Additional Assets from NOP: Solomon Hill, Darius Miller
Possibility: Likely
If you’re asking me, I believe that Vucevic should already be in All-Star conversation this season. Along with the improved, versatile play of Gordon, they have carried the Magic to a serious playoff push in the East.
The Pelicans would also acquire some excellent three-point shooting help in Ross, a player that they have been keen on getting for some time now. Sure, it will be difficult to imagine how Davis should be happy with his new, rebuilding team. But, this deal is just too enticing for the Magic front office, and the only turn-off on this is that Vucevic has the option to opt out of his contract in the summer, which would make this impossible.
8. Toronto Raptors
Trade Assets: Marc Gasol, Pascal Siakam, Norman Powell
Additional Assets from NOP: None
Possibility: Likely
Raptors new head coach Nick Nurse has deviated from the team’s usual frontcourt rotation and has elected to put Serge Ibaka at the center. If Gasol does choose to pick up his player option, he could be moved.
The Pelicans would certainly take a look at this offer, especially with Siakam’s surprising break-out season. Gasol is still a consistent double-double big man, while a healthy Powell has been a force off the bench for Toronto this year. The major sweetener of this deal though is Siakam, a combo forward who has excellent versatility on both ends of the floor.
7. Washington Wizards
Trade Assets: John Wall, Jabari Parker, Tomas Satoransky, 2019 2nd-round Pick
Additional Assets from NOP: Solomon Hill, E’Twaun Moore
Possibility: Likely
The sudden rise of the lowly Wizards to serious playoff contention after Wall’s injury should already be the final sign for the Washington front office to trade their All-Star point guard. Wall is still a star in this league, his numbers definitely show that, but it may be that he just needs a new environment for him to return to the top point guard conversations. It remains to be seen how the Wall-Holiday partnership on the backcourt will fare, but the Pelicans will also get Parker and Satoransky.
6. Sacramento Kings
Trade Assets: Willey Cauley-Stein, Marvin Bagley, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Zach Randolph
Additional Assets from NOP: Solomon Hill
Possibility: Likely
The Kings front office has been unlikeable this season, but things will turn around for them if this trade pushes through. This will also be a solid deal for the Pelicans. Cauley-Stein is a big man who has a dependable inside-outside game, while Bogdanovic is an outstanding wing who could create shots for himself and for his teammates. Bagley has proved that he can score tons at this level, though his defense is still questionable. Randolph here is an obvious inclusion to match salaries, but he could also be a valuable locker room presence.
5. Denver Nuggets
Trade Assets: Gary Harris, Will Barton, Mason Plumlee, 2020 1st-round Pick
Additional Assets from NOP: E’Twaun Moore
Possibility: Likely
I honestly believe that Harris is a two-way player who would thrive in a main man role. He just needs the ball more on his hands, and if the Pelicans can give him that, Harris might just become a borderline All-Star.
The Pelicans would also acquire Barton in this deal, an undersized small forward who has emerged as an all-around scorer and premier defender. Plumlee is a steady frontcourt presence on both ends of the floor, and one could argue that he is one of the most important factors to Denver's success this season.
4. Dallas Mavericks
Trade Assets: 2020 first-round pick, Kristaps Porzingis, Tim Hardaway Jr.
Additional Assets from NOP: Solomon Hill, Elfrid Payton
Possibility: Likely
This deal would definitely fill the Pelicans’ team needs, and they get to ship out Hill’s bloated contract in the process. Getting a star in Porzingis, as well as future 1st-rounder, at least makes this a contending offer for Dallas.
3. Los Angeles Lakers
Trade Assets: Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, two future 1st-round Picks
Additional Assets from NOP: Tim Frazier
Possibility: Likely
Like it or not, Lakers fans, your team has to give up a lot to get Davis for next season after striking out before the trade deadline. Indeed, Ingram has solidified himself as a go-to-scorer and solid passer, but his impact on the defensive end still leaves us a lot of questions. Hart would be perfect for a complementary role with Holiday, Ball could ultimately become their leading point guard, and Kuzma has the potential to be a star.
2. Philadelphia 76ers
Trade Assets: Ben Simmons, Jimmy Butler or Tobias Harris, Zhaire Smith
Additional Assets from NOP: None
Possibility: Likely
Surprise, surprise. Another powerhouse trade move by the Sixers this season? You can bet on it if they are getting a bona fide MVP candidate and All-Star in Anthony Davis.
Just a couple of weeks ago, there were rumors that Simmons could be deemed tradable by the Sixers. That’s quite unfair for a point forward maestro, whose only true weakness lies in his perimeter shooting. But for the Pelicans, this could be major win. They would get a young, excellent, walking triple-double machine in Simmons and another star in either Butler or Harris, depending on how the Sixers are able to re-sign.
Zhaire Smith is also an intriguing prospect, an athletic rookie wing who was sidelined this season with a major injury. As for the Sixers’ perspective, this deal leaves them without a point guard. But a trio of AD-Jimmy Butler or Tobias Harris (if they get both back initially)-Joel Embiid should be enough to pose a whole lot of problems in the playoffs.
1. Portland Trail Blazers
Trade Assets: C.J. McCollum, Jusuf Nurkic
Additional Assets from NOP: None
Possibility: Very Likely
The Blazers have been stuck in the middle pack of the Western Conference for years now, and it might be time for them to make some moves. While he has been an All-Star talent for the last couple of years, you could make an argument that McCollum needs the ball more on his hands to be more effective.
With Damian Lillard around, he just can’t do that more often. As for the Pelicans, this should be the best offer you can get. McCollum is an All-Star caliber shooting guard, and he will definitely do well in the backcourt with Holiday. Nurkic, who has been one of the most underrated big men in the league, can score and rebound with the best of them, and has the passing vision to make plays from the post.
The Pelicans should be a more complete team with McCollum and Nurkic, while the Blazers finally get another superstar to pair up with Lillard.
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