Pelicans star Anthony Davis has requested a trade, his agent told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, and the Celtics and Lakers might already be at the forefront when it comes to a potential deal. But Wojnarowski also said the Knicks are prepared to be "aggressive" in pursuit of Davis.
"You're gonna see the Knicks try to be aggressive here now," Wojnarowski said Monday morning during an appearance on Golic and Wingo on ESPN radio. "If you're the Knicks, Kristaps Porzingis is a player who New Orleans would have to believe they could re-sign if they traded for him. And he may not be open to that. So, if you're the Knicks, the best chance you have is getting the number one overall pick and being in a position post-lottery time where you could tell the Pelicans 'hey, you can have Zion Williamson, you could rebuild with him.'"
As far as the potential that Davis is open to signing an extension with teams other than the Celtics or Lakers, Wojnarowski said that "teams in New York believe that."
Brian Windhorst of ESPN echoed some of what Wojnarowski reported, saying he feels the Knicks would be "in the game" for Davis if they're willing to include their upcoming unprotected first round pick in a deal.
Knicks head coach David Fizdale said before Monday's game against the Hornets that he had not paid any attention to the rumors.
"I haven't seen any of that. ... Anthony Davis asked for a trade?" Fizdale said, according to Newsday's Steve Popper. "I locked myself in my hotel and just watched film today. I turned my phone off. I got yelled at by my wife today. I have no idea. What happened?"
Davis, who has told the Pelicans he will not sign a contract extension, is under contract through the 2019-20 season before being eligible for free agency.
"Anthony wants to be traded to a team that allows him a chance to win consistently and compete for a championship," Davis' agent, Rich Paul, told ESPN while requesting the trade. "Anthony wanted to be honest and clear with his intentions and that's the reason for informing them of this decision now. That's in the best interests of both Anthony's and the organization's future."
Wojnarowski notes that the Celtics -- who have been linked to Davis -- can't trade for him until July 1 since league rules won't allow them to have Davis' and Kyrie Irving's current contracts on the books at the same time. According to Wojnarowski, the Celtics and Pelicans would be allowed to agree to a trade before July 1 that wouldn't be finalized until after that date.
The Lakers are another team to watch for Davis, notes Wojnarowski, who reports that Los Angeles has "been determined" to acquire Davis, whose agent also represents LeBron James.