Pelicans gathering intel on Knicks’ Kevin Knox for Anthony Davis trade

As the off-season inches closer to June’s NBA draft and July’s free agency, rumors and trade speculation will continue to emerge in potential trade packages for New Orleans Pelicans superstar forward Anthony Davis.

The latest development in the Anthony Davis saga is in New York where SNY reporter Ian Begley reports the Pelicans have been gathering intel on Knicks’ rookie Kevin Knox. Knox, 19, possesses tremendous potential as a 6’9″ wing on the perimeter. 2018-2019 averages of 12.8 points and 4.5 rebounds on 37 percent shooting are nothing to brag about; however, his size and ability to stretch a defense makes him a likely breakout candidate heading into next season, and a possible piece the New Orleans Pelicans could be interested in.

The rumors surrounding Knox wouldn’t be the first time the Pelicans and Knicks have been linked to one another. In February, it was reported that New York attempted to trade Kristaps Porzingis to the Pelicans in exchange for Davis — an offer that never came into fruition. With new Vice President of Basketball Operations David Griffin now in the picture, it is likely the two teams will continue to discuss a possible deal for Davis this summer.

While Knox and even fellow rookie Mitchell Robinson would be enticing prospects in a deal for Davis, a potential trade will intensify if the Knicks can win Tuesday’s lottery and be in a position to draft star Duke standout, Zion Williamson. Williamson, a 6’6″ physical marvel, is an athlete unlike anything in the current NBA landscape and was awarded the John R. Wooden Award, an honor for the nation’s best collegiate basketball player. As a freshman, Williamson averaged 22.6 points and 8.9 rebounds on 68 percent shooting from the field.  Should the Pelicans be in a position to acquire Williamson via trade, such a decision would be a no-brainer.

While every front office has to do its due diligence and look into every option available, the information leaked on the Pelicans’ possible interest in Knox speaks to a continued level of uncertainty in what seems to be the final chapter of the Pelicans-Davis marriage.

At this time, it remains unclear if the Knicks, a franchise void of a championship in 46 years, would trade their rights to Zion, the most exciting basketball prospect since LeBron James. A deal for Davis would give them a great deal of certainty in the player they are getting. For all the buzz surrounding Williamson, Davis is a six-time all-star who is widely considered one of the game’s five best players. Would the Knicks and their superstar-craving owner James Dolan pass up the opportunity to land such a proven talent?

While the ping-pong balls will give a better picture of where Anthony Davis could land this summer, look for the Knicks, armed with young talent and seven first-round picks in the next five years, to be an aggressive trade partner for the New Orleans Pelicans.