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Denver Nuggets: Could they make a run at Anthony Davis?

By Grayson Moore

DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 15: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans handles the ball against Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets on December 15, 2017 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 15: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans handles the ball against Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets on December 15, 2017 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LA – NOVEMBER 17: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets shoots the ball against Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans on November 17, 2018, at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – NOVEMBER 17: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets shoots the ball against Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans on November 17, 2018, at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images) /

Would Anthony Davis consider re-signing in Denver?

It’s not unreasonable to believe that Davis would choose to stay in Denver instead of signing somewhere like LA or New York in 2020, especially considering current NBA trends. Here’s why.

The NBA will probably look a lot different in 18 months. LeBron James could lose some of the athleticism that is allowing him to continue to thrive as the best player in the league, as he will be halfway through 35 when Davis has the opportunity to sign in Los Angeles. By that time, the Lakers could have already pursued and acquired another superstar to pair with LeBron, such as Kawhi Leonard, Klay Thompson, Kevin Durant, or possibly even Kyrie Irving based on recent reports. By that time, LA may not have the cap room or the ability to contend for the title Davis is so desperate for.

New York has not signed a significant free agent since either Amar’e Stoudemire or Allan Houston, although some might not believe Stoudemire counts as significant after just 255 games and one All-Star appearance across 5 seasons with the Knicks. They have not been a serious championship contender since the late 1990s, and they don’t look like becoming one anytime soon. While they could possibly attract Kevin Durant this offseason, if they don’t obtain a top free agent this summer, they will have essentially no chance of bringing Davis to the Big Apple in 2020.

If any of the above scenarios actually happen, the two “top” free agent destinations wouldn’t really be ideal options for Davis in 2020. While he could still choose to sign elsewhere, Denver would probably be the best option by then. Other big market cities like Atlanta, Miami, and Chicago will likely still be rebuilding by then, and other contenders like Boston, Golden State, Milwaukee, and Philadelphia won’t have the cap room to bring Davis in on a max contract. That would leave his best option as staying in Denver, where he likely would have helped the Nuggets combat Golden State for superiority in the Western Conference over the past two seasons.

By that time, Denver will have one of the best, if not the best, team in the NBA and will be annually competing for championships. That’s not a situation many players would want to leave, even if the city isn’t the first place that comes to mind when one thinks of American metropolises.

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