Pelica Debrief
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Potential Trade Packages For New Orleans Pelicans Superstar Anthony Davis

By Mark Nilon

NEW ORLEANS, LA - MARCH 21: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans goes up for a dunk during a game against the Memphis Grizzlies on March 21, 2017 at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - MARCH 21: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans goes up for a dunk during a game against the Memphis Grizzlies on March 21, 2017 at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LA – MARCH 19: Anthony Davis
NEW ORLEANS, LA – MARCH 19: Anthony Davis /

Minnesota Timberwolves

For the past couple of years the debate has been; who’s better – Anthony Davis or Karl-Anthony Towns? With this deal, maybe more clarity can be brought to the entertaining question.

According the ESPN’s Zach Lowe, Towns and the Minnesota Timberwolves are “not in a good place internally.” With this, speculation of a blockbuster trade began brewin’. Soon after, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst added gasoline to the fire, stating; “I don’t think Anthony Davis is going anywhere any time soon, but Towns … now that might be a different story.”

Now, let’s take things a step further; what if BOTH Davis and Towns go on the block? Would it be so ludicrous to envision a swap amongst bigs? Both of them are comparable in game and numbers.

Anthony Davis 2017-18 Statistics
Season Age Tm Lg Pos G GS MP FG% 3P% FT% TRB AST STL BLK PTS
2017-18 24 NOP NBA PF 75 75 36.4 .534 .340 .828 11.1 2.3 1.5 2.6 28.1
Career NBA 410 405 34.8 .517 .309 .795 10.3 1.9 1.3 2.4 23.4

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 6/25/2018.

Karl-Anthony Towns 2017-18 Statistics 
Season Age Tm Lg Pos G GS MP FG% 3P% FT% TRB AST STL BLK PTS
2017-18 22 MIN NBA C 82 82 35.6 .545 .421 .858 12.3 2.4 0.8 1.4 21.3
Career NBA 246 246 34.9 .543 .387 .836 11.7 2.4 0.7 1.4 21.6

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 6/25/2018.

If it gets to the point where Minnesota’s relationship with Towns is past the point of salvaging, they could look to trade the 22-year-old All-Star. Especially because they are in a “win now” mode with jimmy Buttler and Tom Thibodeau in tow, the Timberwolves swapping a disgruntled Towns for someone like Anthony Davis might make sense and, it could potentially help each team equally.

For New Orleans, adding KAT would mean bringing in similar star power to the power forward/ center position while simultaneously bringing youth (Towns is 22, Davis is 24). Also, during his three year career Towns has never missed a game. Davis, on the other hand, has played in 410 out of a potential 492 regular season games due to various different injuries. NOLA would be cutting down on the injury risk with Towns swapped for Davis.

Next: Sign-And-Trade Options For The New Orleans Pelicans And DeMarcus Cousins

For Minnesota, by adding Davis they would subsequently be bringing in an MVP candidate, a defensive juggernaut and a perennial All-Star to help compete alongside current team leader Jimmy Buttler. Some may even say the Timberwolves improve by adding Davis in for Towns. While this deal is quite a long shot, it is an interesting one to consider.

Verdict: An interesting package and is worth consideration

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