Which teams can make the best trade offers for Anthony Davis?
May's draft lottery results -- with New Orleans winning the No. 1 pick and surprise teams in the top four -- have changed things since Davis' initial trade request in January.
The Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers are engaged in separate trade talks with the New Orleans Pelicans on Davis, according to a report by ESPN on Wednesday.
Here is a look at what the potential suitors -- including the Celtics and Lakers, plus other contenders -- can offer in trade talks, who is likely off the table, the challenges each team faces and the risks involved.
What the Pelicans can include
Even if the Pelicans agree to the parameters of a deal before the draft, don't expect to see an official Davis trade until after July 1 for the following reasons:
Teams are operating under the 2018-19 salary cap until July 1. For example, the Lakers are projected to have $32.5 million in room starting then that can be used in a Davis deal.
Free agents cannot be signed and traded until July 6.
The Celtics are in a holding pattern until July 1 and are waiting on a decision from Kyrie Irving.
Off the table: Jrue Holiday. The point guard could be the next domino to fall, but New Orleans should hold off on any potential talks until there is resolution with Davis. Holiday is under contract through 2021-22 (player option) and would be high on many teams' lists if made available.
Not available: Julius Randle (player option), Darius Miller (free agent), Elfrid Payton (free agent), Ian Clark (free agent) and Cheick Diallo (restricted free agent)
Draft assets
The No. 1 pick in the June draft
All future first-round picks (2020-2025)
All future second-round picks (Chicago can swap in 2021)
Cash to be sent out and received: $5.6 million
Draft rights to two players
Tradable contracts (2019-20 season)
1. Anthony Davis: $27.1 million, under contract through the 2020-21 season (has a player option)
15 percent trade bonus, valued at $4.063 million if traded in July
Davis is not eligible to sign a $240 million supermax extension with his new team.
Six months after the trade, Davis would be eligible to sign a four-year, $145.6 million extension.
Davis could sign a new contract with the acquiring team in July 2020 for up to five years and $205.3 million. Signing with a team that has cap space would secure Davis a four-year, $152.2 million contract.
2. Solomon Hill: $12.8 million, under contract through 2019-20
3. E'Twaun Moore: $8.6 million, under contract through 2019-20
4. Jahlil Okafor: $1.7 million, under contract through 2019-20 (team option)
$54,000 salary protection if his 2019-20 team option is exercised
5. Frank Jackson: $1.6 million, under contract through 2019-20
Contract for 2019-20 becomes guaranteed if not waived by June 30
6. Christian Wood: $1.6 million, under contract through 2019-20
Contract for 2019-20 is non-guaranteed
7. Kenrich Williams: $1.4 million, restricted free agent in 2020
Contract for 2019-20 is non-guaranteed
8. Davis Bertans: $1.4 million, restricted free agent in 2020
Contract for 2019-20 is non-guaranteed
Complicating factors
The salaries for Okafor, Jackson, Bertans, Wood and Williams would not be included in matching purposes for trades. The five players have minimal or $0 salary protection for 2019-20.
Boston Celtics
The Celtics have the right mix of draft assets, young players and tradable contracts, but can Boston take an aggressive approach with New Orleans, knowing that Irving could leave in free agency?
Not available: Kyrie Irving (free agent), Marcus Morris (free agent), Terry Rozier (restricted free agent), Daniel Theis (restricted free agent), Brad Wanamaker (restricted free agent) and Jonathan Gibson (restricted free agent)
Draft assets
Picks Nos. 14, 20, 22 and 51 in the June draft
All future first-round picks (2020-2025)
Memphis' 2020 first-round pick (top-six protected, then unprotected in 2021). This is the crown jewel of the Celtics' draft assets.
All future second-round picks
Cash to be sent out and received: $5.6 million
Tradable contracts (2019-20 season)
1. Gordon Hayward: $32.7 million, under contract through 2020-21
15 percent trade bonus: valued at $4.9 million in July
2. *Al Horford: $30.1 million, under contract through 2019-20
15 percent trade bonus: valued at $4.5 million in July
3. Marcus Smart: $12.5 million, under contract through 2021-22
4. Jayson Tatum: $7.8 million, restricted free agent in 2021
5. Jaylen Brown: $6.5 million, restricted free agent in 2020
Extension-eligible starting in July
6. *Aron Baynes: $5.5 million, under contract through 2019-20
7. Guerschon Yabusele: $3.1 million, restricted free agent in 2021
8. Robert Williams: $1.9 million, restricted free agent in 2022
9. Semi Ojeleye: $1.6 million, restricted free agent in 2021
Contract becomes guaranteed if not waived by July 1
*Horford and Baynes have player options and cannot be traded until they opt into their contracts for 2019-20.
Complicating factors
Making the money work if Horford and Baynes opt out of their deals could limit Boston's options. The Celtics would have only seven players to trade, and that includes Hayward's $32.7 million contract (not counting his $4.9 million trade bonus).
Los Angeles Lakers
After seeing their numerous trade proposals rebuffed at the deadline, the Lakers had to wait until the summer to pursue Davis. Despite receiving a solid offer that included two first-round picks along with Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, Brandon Ingram and salary relief with the Solomon Hill contract, New Orleans decided to pass.
The big question now: Does the No. 4 pick in the draft make New Orleans interested enough to consider a deal?
Off the table: LeBron James
Not available: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (free agent), Rajon Rondo (free agent), Lance Stephenson (free agent), JaVale McGee (free agent), Reggie Bullock (free agent), Mike Muscala (free agent) and Tyson Chandler (free agent)
Draft assets
The No. 4 pick in the June draft
All future first-round picks (2020-2025)
All future second-round picks
Cash to be sent out and received: $5.6 million
Draft rights to two players
Tradable contracts (2019-20 season)
1. Lonzo Ball: $8.7 million, restricted free agent in 2021
2. Brandon Ingram: $7.3 million, restricted free agent in 2020 and extension-eligible in July
3. Moritz Wagner: $2.0 million, restricted free agent in 2022
4. Kyle Kuzma: $2.0 million, restricted free agent in 2021
5. Josh Hart: $1.9 million, restricted free agent in 2021
6. Isaac Bonga: $1.4 million, restricted free agent in 2021
7. Jemerrio Jones; $1.4 million, restricted free agent in 2020
Contract for 2019-20 is non-guaranteed
Complicating factors
Los Angeles is left with seven tradable contracts (not including LeBron) in the offseason. The Lakers project to have $32.5 million in room and could use the available cap space as a buffer to make a deal work. They could use their own free agents in a sign-and-trade, but that would require each player to sign off on a deal and the Pelicans to take back unwanted salary.
The Lakers can add a third max player but would have to sign that free agent first and then acquire Davis in a trade. In this scenario, the Lakers would have to trade up to $21.6 million in salary. If the $7.1 million salary of the No. 4 pick is involved, Los Angeles would have to wait 30 days after the contract is signed.
The only way for the Lakers to have cap space in 2020 if Davis hits free agency is to yet again sign players to one-year deals.
New York Knicks
Would a Duke reunion of RJ Barrett and Zion Williamson entice the Pelicans to bite when it comes to a Knicks trade?
As outlined here, there is a clear pathway to New York signing two max players first and then putting together a package for Davis.
Off the table: DeAndre Jordan (free agent), Mario Hezonja (free agent), Emmanuel Mudiay (restricted free agent), Allonzo Trier (team option), Billy Garrett (team option), Henry Ellenson (team option), John Jenkins (team option), Luke Kornet (restricted free agent) and Noah Vonleh (free agent)
Draft assets
Picks Nos. 3 and 55 in the June draft
All future first-round picks (2020-2025)
An unprotected first-round pick in 2021 from Dallas
A top-10-protected first-round pick from Dallas in 2023, 2024 or 2025
Second-round picks from Charlotte in 2020 and 2021
Future second-round picks starting in 2022
Cash to be sent out and received: $5.2 million
Draft rights to two players
Tradable contracts (2019-20 season)
1. Lance Thomas: $7.6 million, under contract through 2019-20
Contract for next season is non-guaranteed with $1 million in protection if not waived by June 30
2. Frank Ntilikina: $4.9 million, restricted free agent in 2021
3. Dennis Smith Jr: $4.7 million, restricted free agent in 2021
4. Kevin Knox: $4.4 million, restricted free agent in 2022
5. Allonzo Trier: $3.6 million, restricted free agent in 2020 (team option)
6. John Jenkins: $2.0 million, unrestricted free agent in 2020 (team option)
7. Mitchell Robinson: $1.6 million, under contract through 2021-22
8. Henry Ellenson: $1.6 million, restricted free agent in 2020 (team option)
9. Damyean Dotson: $1.6 million, restricted free agent in 2020
Contract for next season becomes fully guaranteed if not waived by July 15
10. Billy Garrett: $1.4 million, restricted free agent in 2020 (team option)
Complicating factors
Trier, Ellenson, Jenkins and Garrett have team options and cannot be traded until those are exercised.
LA Clippers
The Clippers, one of four teams on AD's preferred list at the trade deadline, have the right mix of young players, expiring contracts and draft assets to put together a compelling offer.
LA could walk into its free-agent presentation on June 30 with a player such as Kawhi Leonard or Kevin Durant and offer something other teams cannot sell: a franchise teammate in Anthony Davis.
Not available: Wilson Chandler (free agent), Patrick Beverley (free agent), Garrett Temple (unrestricted), JaMychal Green (unrestricted), Ivica Zubac (restricted) and Rodney McGruder (restricted)
Draft assets
Future first-round picks beginning in 2020
A lottery-protected 2020 first-round pick from Philadelphia and an unprotected 2021 first-round pick from Miami; LA's first-round pick cannot be traded until 2021.
Second-round picks in 2019, 2020, 2023, 2024 and 2025; Portland's second-rounder in 2020
Cash to be sent out and received: $5.6 million
A $9.8 million trade exception
Draft rights to one player
Tradable contracts (2019-20 season)
1. Danilo Gallinari: $21.6 million, under contract through 2019-20
2. Lou Williams: $8.0 million, under contract through 2020-21
3. Montrezl Harrell: $6.0 million, under contract through 2019-20
4. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: $3.4 million, restricted free agent in 2022
5. Jerome Robinson: $3.0 million, restricted free agent in 2022
6. Landry Shamet: $2.0 million, restricted free agent in 2022
7. Tyrone Wallace: $1.6 million, restricted free agent in 2020
Non-guaranteed contract for next season
8. Sindarius Thornwell: $1.4 million, restricted free agent in 2020
Non-guaranteed contract for next season that becomes fully protected if not waived by July 20
Complicating factors
Tyrone Wallace has veto power on any trade.
Only the guaranteed portion of each contract can be used in trades for Thornwell and Wallace.
Denver Nuggets
The thought of Anthony Davis next to Nikola Jokic is appealing. However, would Denver break up a team that was one win from the conference finals?
Paul Millsap and a combination of Malik Beasley, Gary Harris, Will Barton and Monte Morris would likely have to be included here. Are those players worth it for one year with a top-five player?
That is a question the Nuggets' front office will need to debate this offseason.
Off the table: Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray
Not available: Trey Lyles (restricted free agent), Tyler Lydon (free agent), Isaiah Thomas (free agent)
Draft assets
Once the draft commences, Denver can trade all future first-round picks starting in 2020.
Second-round picks in 2023, 2024 and 2025
Cash to be sent out: $5.2 million
Cash to be received: $5.1 million
Tradable contracts (2019-20 season)
1. Paul Millsap: $30.0 million, under contract through 2019-20
Millsap has a team option for 2019-20 (would need to be exercised to be traded)
2. Gary Harris: $17.8 million, under contract through 2021-22
3. Mason Plumlee: $14.0 million, under contract through 2019-20
4. Will Barton: $12.8 million, under contract through 2022-23
5. Michael Porter Jr.: $3.4 million, restricted free agent in 2022
6. Juan Hernangomez: $3.2 million, restricted free agent in 2020
Can sign a rookie extension this summer
7. Torrey Craig: $2.0 million, restricted free agent in 2020
8. Malik Beasley: $2.7 million, restricted free agent in 2020
Can sign a rookie extension this summer
9. Monte Morris: $1.6 million, under contract through 2020-21
10. Jarred Vanderbilt: $1.4 million, restricted free agent in 2021
Complicating factors
The core would be broken up without a guarantee that Davis would commit past 2019-20.
Toronto Raptors
Toronto enters into the picture only if Kawhi Leonard returns. If he does, would Masai Ujiri follow the blueprint from when he pursued Leonard last summer?
The Raptors have a combination of young players in Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet and OG Anunoby and expiring contracts in Kyle Lowry and Serge Ibaka to put in a deal.
Not available: Kawhi Leonard (free agent), Danny Green (free agent), Jodie Meeks (free agent), Jeremy Lin (free agent), Eric Moreland (free agent) and Patrick McCaw (restricted free agent)
Draft assets
Once the draft commences, Toronto can trade all future first-round picks starting in 2020.
All future second-round picks (2019-2025)
Draft rights to two players
Cash to be sent out and received: $5.6 million
Tradable contracts (2019-20 season)
1. Kyle Lowry: $31.2 million, under contract through 2019-20
2. *Marc Gasol: $25.6 million, player option for 2019-20
2. Serge Ibaka: $21.6 million, under contract through 2019-20
4. Norman Powell: $9.4 million, under contract through 2022-23
5. Fred VanVleet: $8.7 million, under contract through 2019-20
6. Malcolm Miller: $1.6 million, under contract through 2019-20 (restricted free agent)
The 2019-20 contract is non-guaranteed
7. Chris Boucher: $1.6 million, under contract through 2019-20 (restricted free agent)
$125,000 of the contract is guaranteed
8. Pascal Siakam: $1.5 million, restricted free agent in 2020
Extension-eligible in July
9. OG Anunoby: $1.9 million, restricted free agent in 2021
*Gasol would need to opt into his contract to be traded.
Complicating factors
There is a lack of certainty that Leonard will return, and making the money work could be challenging if Gasol opts out.
Brooklyn Nets
The Nets essentially would have to part with all of their draft assets and young players to enter the Davis sweepstakes.
For restricted free-agent D'Angelo Russell to be part of any trade, the point guard would need to sign off on being dealt to the Pelicans. In turn, New Orleans would need to establish a comfort level with a new Russell contract that will start north of $20 million per year.
Not available: D'Angelo Russell (free agent), Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (free agent), Theo Pinson (free agent), Alan Williams (free agent), DeMarre Carroll (free agent), Jared Dudley (free agent) and Ed Davis (free agent)
Draft assets
Picks Nos. 27 and 31 in the June draft
Own all future first-round picks starting in 2023 (owe Atlanta a lottery-protected first in 2020, 2021 or 2022). Brooklyn can trade a first-rounder two-years after the pick to Atlanta is conveyed.
Cash: $5.6 million to send out
Tradable contracts (2019-20 season)
1. Spencer Dinwiddie: $10.6 million, under contract through 2021-22 (player option)
2. Joe Harris: $7.7 million, under contract through 2019-20
3. Taurean Prince: $3.5 million; restricted free agent in 2020
Extension eligible in July
4. Caris LeVert: $2.6 million, restricted free agent in 2020
Extension-eligible in July
5. Jarrett Allen: $2.4 million, restricted free agent in 2021
6. Dzanan Musa: $1.9 million, restricted free agent in 2022
7. Rodions Kurucs: $1.7 million, restricted free agent in 2022
8. Shabazz Napier: $1.8 million, under contract through 2019-20
Contract becomes guaranteed if not waived by July 10
9. Treveon Graham: $1.6 million, under contract through 2019-20
Contract becomes guaranteed if not waived by July 10
Complicating factors
Russell would have to agree to a sign-and-trade to be included in any package, with a new contract lasting at least three seasons.