NBA Trade Deadline 2019: Power ranking Anthony Davis trade packages

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 16: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans is guarded by Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriorsvat ORACLE Arena on January 16, 2019 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

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BOSTON, MA – JANUARY 31: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks looks on during the game against the Boston Celtics on January 31, 2018 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /

4. Trade Anthony Davis to the New York Knicks

Let’s address the elephant in the room regarding potentially trading Anthony Davis to the New York Knicks. The Knicks are not a contender and, frankly, aren’t that close as currently constituted. While that may be true, the Knicks are an outlier in regards to their brand as a franchise and the opportunity to play in New York. Plus, being the “savior” of the Knicks is always floated as something that players could find attractive, even if it doesn’t fit in Davis’ parameters of wanting to be traded to a contender.

Even more interesting is the fact that the Knicks have assets that could be potentially valuable to the Pelicans in regards to setting up their franchise well moving forward. It would take New York giving up their current cornerstone, but that’s something that they might be willing to do if it means landing Davis.

Including Kristaps Porzingis in a trade for Davis is perhaps the biggest wild card that could be thrown into the mix. On one hand, the 23-year old Knicks star has proven to be a potential game-changer when healthy, but he’s not healthy right now as he continues to rehab from a torn ACL suffered last season. Per Ian Begley of ESPN, he will be re-evaluated in mid-February, but a timetable for his return is not yet set.

Even still, adding Porzingis would be massive for the Pelicans, especially if he can return to full health and continue progressing. Throw in an intriguing prospect in Mitchell Robinson, Enes Kanter’s expiring contract and a first-round pick that will likely be a lottery pick, that looks nice for New Orleans to start rebuilding in the wake of losing Davis.

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