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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PHILADELPHIA, PA – JANUARY 21: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers talks to Ben Simmons #25 against the Houston Rockets at the Wells Fargo Center on January 21, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Rockets 121-93. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

1. Trade Anthony Davis to the Philadelphia 76ers

The one trade that the Pelicans should be looking at leading up to the 2019 NBA Trade Deadline is one with the Philadelphia 76ers. There are going to be numerous trade packages that the Sixers could send to New Orleans, most of them including former No. 1 overall pick Markelle Fultz in an attempt for him to salvage his career on a new team after an injury-plagued and tumultuous start in the NBA.

Having said that, many of those trade packages are going to be heavy on draft capital, which Philadelphia has plenty of. Instead, though, the absolute best package that the Pelicans could potentially get is one that would nab them one of the 76ers’ young stars in addition to Fultz and some draft capital.

Trading Ben Simmons to the Pelicans would most certainly send major waves throughout the NBA, but it would be worth it. As good as Simmons is and despite his youth and the potential for improvement that brings, chances are that he’s not going to be a top player in the league in the way that Davis is. Plus, pairing Davis and Joel Embiid on the interior would create an unbelievably versatile two-way force in the frontcourt in Philadelphia.

In return, New Orleans would be getting a stud young player in Simmons, a shot-in-the-dark in Fultz, cap-filler in Wilson Chandler on an expiring contract and then a future unprotected first-round pick that could be quite valuable given the uncertain future of the Miami Heat.

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Who knows if the Sixers would truly be willing to part with Simmons in an effort to add Anthony Davis. However, it’s within the realm of possibility and, in terms of what the best the Pelicans can do in trading away their superstar forward, this deal would set them up best for the future.

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