The New York Knicks were one of Anthony Davis' top two preferred trade destinations, but the Knicks still were not all that confident that Davis would re-sign with the team next summer.
As a result, New York did not offer young forward Kevin Knox or young big man Mitchell Robinson in any of its packages to the New Orleans Pelicans, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Instead, the Knicks offered Frank Ntilikina, Dennis Smith Jr., the third overall pick in the draft and other draft compensation to the Pelicans, which was ultimately trumped by the Los Angeles Lakers' offer of Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart and three first-round picks, including the fourth overall selection in this year's draft.
New York's reluctance to part with any of its top young players is certainly understandable, especially given how big of a hit its offseason hopes have taken over the last month.
Not only did the Knicks end up landing the third overall pick in the draft lottery in spite of finishing with the league's worst record, but their offseason dream of signing both Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant in free agency has fallen apart, with Irving seeming dead set on the Brooklyn Nets and Durant tearing his Achilles in Game 5 of the NBA Finals last week.
If New York would have included Knox or Robinson in a deal for Davis and then Davis walked next summer, the Knicks would have been left with nothing, so you can't blame New York for never really making a serious offer.
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