The New York Knicks haven’t shied away from star chasing in the Leon Rose era. With an inconsistent start to the season, a roster shakeup isn’t out of the realm of possibilities. New York might have interest in one of the league’s premier big men of this generation, a move that would signal a dramatic pivot towards a “defense wins championships” philosophy.
The Dallas/Davis experiment hasn’t worked
The Dallas Mavericks have been in the NBA spotlight since Luka Doncic was dealt to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis and supporting pieces. Since the blockbuster deal last February, Dallas has struggled, posting a 19-35 record, with Davis appearing in just 14 games.
When President of Basketball Operations Nico Harrison orchestrated the trade, this was the potential nightmare scenario. Unfortunately for Dallas, that nightmare has become a grim reality. With the firing of Nico Harrison, Dallas will be listening to trade calls surrounding Davis, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Although many teams will hold a level of interest in adding Davis to their roster, Ian Begley of SNY noted that the Knicks will “check in” with Dallas if or when Davis becomes available. With a 10-6 start to the season, the Knicks might shake up the NBA once again, with all eyes in the basketball world returning to the Mecca.
Anthony Davis to the Knicks mock trade
A trade regarding Davis to the Knicks is tricky; however, it’s a feasible possibility if New York is eager for his services. A potential trade package could look something like this: The Knicks would receive Davis and Brooklyn Nets guard Tyrese Martin; in return, the Mavericks acquire Karl-Anthony Towns and Guerschon Yabusele.
A third team is required for the deal to be complete. In this instance, the Nets would receive Dante Exum, D’Angelo Russell, and a 2027 2nd round pick via NY. Due to the recent signings of Yabusele and Russell to their respective teams, this trade can only be completed after December 15th.
Brooklyn will also have to waive a player on their roster, although that shouldn’t be a problem. Towns would be quintessential in this deal due to the similarities in contract with Davis. KAT has gotten off to one of the slower starts of his career, shooting only 43.7% from the field and 33.7% from behind the arc. Worrisome shooting with lackluster defense at the position, Leon Rose may see Towns as a potential trade candidate if the right offer is on the table.
The pros and cons of adding Davis to the Knicks
In a deal that would shake up the basketball world, a Davis to Knicks trade comes with a handful of narratives and moving parts. The most appealing tool in Davis’ arsenal is, of course, the All-NBA level defense, a monumental upgrade from what Towns has to offer.
A defensive spine of Bridges, Anunoby, Davis, and Robinson would be basketball royalty, a dream for any coach and fan alike. When Davis is on the court, the upside of this New York team would be through the roof, a ceiling higher than arguably any Knicks team ever.
However, Davis needs to be on the court for the puzzle to be completed. Since the start of the 2020-2021 season, Davis has played roughly 62% of games. With Davis in year 12, the injury concern will only rise, a concern that could keep the Knicks back from completing such a deal.
The verdict
While the potential upside of a Davis trade is enticing, the chances of New York landing him are slim. His injury history is a major concern for a team with championship aspirations. In a wide-open Eastern Conference, the Knicks may be reluctant to take such a significant gamble; expect New York to roll with this core for the short-term future.