Valley of the Suns
Fansided

How the Phoenix Suns can facilitate a three-team trade of Anthony Davis to the New York Knicks

By Adam Maynes

PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 1: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans shoots the ball against the Phoenix Suns on March 1, 2019 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 1: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans shoots the ball against the Phoenix Suns on March 1, 2019 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Anthony Davis New York Knicks (Photo by Michael J. LeBrecht II/NBAE via Getty Images)
Anthony Davis New York Knicks (Photo by Michael J. LeBrecht II/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Why the New York Knicks should do it

This one is obvious: they get Anthony Davis, arguably the best available player this offseason regardless of potential method of acquisition, save for Kevin Durant in unrestricted free agency (and of the two, Davis is the only one guaranteed  to leave his current team – especially now that KD has a torn achilles tendon that I tried warning the world about playing on).

The Knicks lose a lot in the trade: the fourth overall pick (most likely R.J. Barrett), Kevin Knox, their first round pick in 2018, and Dennis Smith Jr., the key player they received in the trade last season of Kristaps Porzingis.

However, if the Knicks are able to make this trade before July 1, (the start of free agency), they will already have a single superstar on their roster and plenty of cap space (and then time) to attract a second free agent.

Could the addition of Anthony Davis suddenly grab the attraction of Kevin Durant who had been speculated to New York but might not be the only star player on the roster?

Kyrie Irving has been connected to the Brooklyn Nets, who are right down the road(ish) from Madison Square Garden, but unless he knows already that Durant is following him, he too could be the only true star on the roster should he sign with the Nets (aside from D’Angelo Russell, although with them both in the back court, how strong does that really make them?).

But if Anthony Davis is already on the Knicks, would Kyrie consider that New York state franchise to another?

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