Former New Orleans Pelicans general manager Dell Demps reportedly was not prepared to trade superstar big man Anthony Davis to the New York Knicks before knowing where the Knicks would select in the 2019 NBA Draft, according to Frank Isola of The Athletic.
The Knicks have one of the worst records in the NBA this season and could wind up with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.
After talks between New York and New Orleans soured, the Knicks sent Kristaps Porzingis to the Dallas Mavericks.
According to a source familiar with the talks, Dell Demps was not prepared to trade Davis to New York before knowing where the Knicks will select in the 2019 NBA Draft. The Knicks then traded Porzingis to the Dallas Mavericks.
The Knicks currently have a 14 percent chance of winning the draft lottery and selecting first overall for the first time since 1985, when Patrick Ewing was the top overall pick.
The Pelicans fired Demps on Friday. Owner Gayle Benson was reportedly furious when she saw Davis leave the stadium on Thursday after the star hurt his left shoulder. Danny Ferry is the interim general manager.
If the Knicks do end up with the No. 1 overall Draft pick, they can still discuss a Davis trade with the Pelicans in the summer, but now that Porzingis is gone, New York doesn't have any attractable players to include in the trade package for AD.
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