Haynes: Lakers, Knicks Prepare Packages for Pelicans’ Anthony Davis

The Lakers and Knicks have emerged as suitors for Anthony Davis following the Pelicans star’s trade request on Monday morning. According to Yahoo Sports’ Chris Haynes, two major-market teams have started deliberations over what to offer New Orleans in exchange for Davis.

The Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks are preparing to make offers for New Orleans Pelicans superstar forward Anthony Davis, league sources told Yahoo Sports.

The Lakers’ brass had a meeting Monday morning in large part to coordinate the franchise’s plans, sources said.

Haynes went on to explain that the Lakers’ trade package would likely include a combination of young players as well as other assets. Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, and Kyle Kuzma are all players that could be included in a trade package centered around acquiring Davis. The Lakers’ time to move could be now, as the once-attractive 2019 free agent class appears to be narrowing.

The Lakers’ package would almost have to include Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram and Kyle Kuzma along with other sweeteners and salary-cap fillers.

For the Lakers, it’s time to strike now. It’s becoming more and more apparent that acquiring a top-tier free agent in the summer might be too complicated.

For the Knicks, Haynes pointed to a trio of valuable trade chips that could be made available in an effort to land Davis.

The Knicks have valuable trade chips in Kristaps Porzingis, rookie Kevin Knox and potentially the No. 1 overall pick in 2019.

If the Pelicans wait until the summer, the Celtics are likely candidates to emerge as the top contender for Davis’ services. General Manager Danny Ainge has a long list of assets at his disposal once the offseason arrives. Currently, the Celtics are unable to acquire Davis with Kyrie Irving on the roster. Irving, like Davis, is on a designated player rookie extension (Rose Rule). The Celtics are not allowed to have two players acquired via trade with that contract type on their roster simultaneously.