Pelicans Rumors: Breaking down an Anthony Davis/Denver Nuggets trade

New Orleans Pelicans rumors and reports focused on Anthony Davis are still trickling out, this time involving the Denver Nuggets’ interest in the All-Star. What type of trade package could the Nuggets send over in exchange for AD?

Most teams in the NBA would be thrilled to land Anthony Davis in a trade this summer, but not everyone has the assets to make it happen. However, one team brimming with young talent reportedly could be in the mix to acquire AD, at least according to the most recent batch of New Orleans Pelicans rumors.

Recently on an episode of the Locked On NBA Podcast, Sam Amick of The Athletic talked about how the Denver Nuggets called the New Orleans Pelicans to test the waters in the Anthony Davis trade market, but no traction was ever made between the two teams. Amick went on the say that the Nuggets are still considering reengaging the Pelicans at a later date and could try to put together an offer.

Denver is a team that would make a lot of sense in this scenario. They are rich with young, talented players. They’ve been one of the surprise success stories of the 2018-2019 NBA season and are a player like Anthony Davis away from being a legitimate championship contender. They have a plethora of good players and could part with several to get AD and still be plenty deep top to bottom on their roster.

The hypothetical Denver Nuggets offer we kicked around here on Pelican Debrief earlier this year was this:

Obviously, the name missing from this trade offer that some Pelicans fans might be bummed is missing is Nikola Jokic, Denver’s incredibly gifted All-Star who is one of the best passing and playmaking centers we’ve seen in the NBA since Arvydas Sabonis back in the 90s. There’s no way the Nuggets would part with Jokic, especially if Anthony Davis winds up leaving the following summer in free agency. The risk isn’t worth it.

Still, this is a pretty nice trade offer that could come back to the Pelicans, and there are more options as well. If the Nuggets are more aggressive, maybe they swap out Malik Beasley for Jamal Murray in that hypothetical offer. Murray is an electric 22 year old point guard that’s putting up around 18 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds per game while shooting 37% from deep on a very good Nuggets team. Let him pick up some new defensive tricks from Jrue Holiday, and look out. Murray could be fantastic.

Aside from Harris, Porter Jr., Beasley, and Murray, Denver has even more solid players they could dangle in front of the New Orleans Pelicans. Young guys like Monte Morris, or capable veterans like Will Barton could help New Orleans out significantly. If the Nuggets decide to jump back into the Anthony Davis Sweepstakes, they have the assets to put together a very good trade package.

As the New Orleans Pelicans continue to navigate this tricky situation with Anthony Davis, keep checking in for our thoughts on every new rumor as they break.