Trading Anthony Davis would likely be the best move to begin David Griffin’s tenure leading the New Orleans Pelicans, regardless of any standing trade demands. How do AD’s antics and career compare to Carmelo Anthony’s, another star that requested a trade?
Anthony Davis has been built up as a transcendent star. He has spent his whole career with the New Orleans Pelicans, but now wants out. Perhaps his open demand changed the Pels’ leverage slightly, but it did not ultimately change the decision. David Griffin earned the task of handling AD’s future, but anyone stepping up to change the franchise’s fortunes has to trade Davis.
Carmelo Anthony was the last star with Olympic team appearances but no NBA Finals appearances to demand a trade. Despite his recent Looney Tunes antics, Anthony Davis seems to have a better reputation and higher trade value than Carmelo Anthony. The similarities besides the “star wants a chance to win” narrative are numerous, including their on-court results.
Carmelo is a suspected summer signing of the LeBron James Lakers, though Davis is the real prize recruit. These rumors will persist because of Bron and Melo’s friendship, but by playing standards, there is a reason Melo is out of the league. LeBron cannot get back to the playoffs using scrap heap veterans in their mid-thirties, so he’ll likely chase a disgruntled star in a small market instead.
Comparing trade packages
Carmelo Anthony’s returned trade haul when he became a Knick is the proper starting point for the Davis trade demands. The Denver Nuggets received Wilson Chandler, Raymond Felton, Danilo Gallinari, Timofey Mozgov, the Knicks’ 2014 first-round draft pick, the Warriors’ 2012 second-round pick, the Warriors’ 2013 second-round pick and $3 million in cash. The Nuggets sent Chauncey Billups and roster filler to New York along with Melo’s baggage.
The Pelicans can feel comfortable asking for basically everything they like on the Clippers, Lakers, Celtics, Raptors, or Knicks rosters. If the Pelicans are feeling particularly risky, they can add Solomon Hill to the deal and take back a flier on a failed signing looking for a new start.
When it comes to trading away a top 10 star, there is no such thing as asking for too much. Teams can give away too much and accept too little, but they can never ask too much. The team’s future and the executive’s next contract depend on the ransom for AD being substantial.
Davis is looking for a new start. Griffin taking a flier on Davis for one more season would just cost the Pelicans leverage later. The star Pelicans fans want might not have been the star they thought they had all this time. Davis is refusing a super-max extension, but he is also refusing to accept the franchise could experience better days soon.