The Knicks will have to move ahead without Anthony Davis.
The Pelicans have agreed to trade the superstar to the Lakers for a monster haul which includes Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart and three first-round picks, including the No. 4 overall pick in this year's NBA Draft, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
According to multiple reports, the Pelicans will receive a top-eight protected pick in 2021, which would become unprotected in 2022, along with an unprotected first in 2024. The two teams will also have unprotected swaps of first-rounders in 2023 and 2025.
SNY's Ian Begley previously reported that the Knicks had at least one conversation with the Pelicans about a potential Davis trade.
Sources told Begley that some within the Knicks organization were adamant about not giving up a ton of assets in such a deal, wary after what transpired following their trade for Carmelo Anthony. Without a third team involved, the Knicks likely wouldn't have been able to provide the Pelicans what they ended up getting from the Lakers.
The best-case scenario for the Knicks would've been if Davis had been traded to the Celtics and then entered free agency next year -- which his agent Rich Paul recently told Sports Illustrated Davis will do.
Sources told Begley that in the days leading up to the deal, Boston wasn't willing to include Jayson Tatum in any trade package during its conversations with New Orleans.
The Lakers are swinging big even if there's a chance they don't keep Davis, though they now have a full year to persuade him to sign with them long-term.
The New York Times' Marc Stein reports that Kemba Walker will be a top target for them in free agency as they look to add him and Davis with LeBron James.
Meanwhile, the Pelicans may not be done wheeling and dealing. Wojnarowski reports that teams have already expressed interest to New Orleans about the No. 4 pick and that talks will take place in the coming days. The Pelicans now have the top overall pick, which is expected to be Zion Williamson, and the No. 4 selection.
The Knicks hold the No. 3 pick in the NBA Draft and RJ Barrett is the favorite for that spot.