Anthony Davis is reportedly down to just two teams he wishes to be traded to, and the Knicks have made the cut, per The Athletic's Shams Charania.
Back in February, Davis had given the Pelicans a four-team list of teams he wanted to be traded to in the Knicks, Lakers, Clippers and Bucks. However, sources are telling Charania that the Knicks and Lakers are the only two teams he's focused on now. Davis and his team have not presented a formal list to new EVP of Basketball Operations David Griffin.
If the report is true, this would eliminate the Nets and Celtics as potential landing spots for the versatile All-Star center.
With the Pelicans failing to convince Davis to stay in New Orleans, Griffin reportedly provided teams interested in trading for Davis the framework required for a deal to be reached, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. The Pelicans would like the trade to be done before the June 20 NBA Draft, but Griffin is said to not be "convinced" a deal could be done without a third team being involved.
As for what the Pelicans are looking for, the assets would include "an All-Star player, a young player with All-Star potential and two first-round picks." The Knicks can offer everything but a current All-Star player if that is the case. Kristaps Porzingis was their only All-Star, but he was dealt to the Mavericks last season.
They do, however, have many young assets like Kevin Knox, Mitchell Robinson, Dennis Smith Jr., and others that have All-Star potential. There is also the prospect of trading the No. 3 overall pick (R.J. Barrett?) in a potential deal.
Davis, who is a free agent in 2020, would definitely consider re-signing with the Knicks if he felt he could be successful in New York, SNY's Ian Begley reported back in May. And with the Knicks being on his new short list, that shows he believes that could be the case in the future.