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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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DENVER, CO – DECEMBER 15: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans handles the ball against the Denver Nuggets on December 15, 2017, at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – DECEMBER 15: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans handles the ball against the Denver Nuggets on December 15, 2017, at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Possible Trades for Anthony Davis

(Note: All trades verified with the ESPN Trade Machine.)

Trade #1:

This deal would give the Pelicans a few options in terms of the team’s future.

If the combination of Beasley, Millsap, and Lyles somehow turns the team around and they end up in the Western Conference playoff picture again, they could choose to accept Millsap’s team option or re-sign him on a restructured deal with their projected $20 in cap space this offseason. They could also choose to re-sign Trey Lyles if he manages to make good on his massive potential and become a consistent double-digit scorer in New Orleans. Malik Beasley has also seriously boosted his trade value this season, significantly boosting his minutes and points per game while also establishing himself as a knockdown 3-point shooter with some defensive potential. He could be a great piece for New Orleans whether they decide to rebuild or use their cap space to try and contend for a playoff spot in the West.

They could also choose to rebuild with Lyles, Beasley, and the two first round picks they would receive in the deal, along with their own, likely very high first round picks.

While this would be a bargain for Denver, this is a pretty light deal for a player of Davis’ caliber, and it’s incredibly unlikely that New Orleans would accept it unless they saw it as their best option.

Trade #2:

While it would certainly hurt for the Nuggets to give up so many key cogs in their rotation, it would likely take this kind of deal (and maybe more) to realistically bring Davis to Denver.

It is likely that if New Orleans were to make a trade with Denver, they would demand Jamal Murray in any possible deal, as he is one of the most promising guards in the entire league and he has established himself as a borderline top-50 player in the NBA just three years into his career. Mason Plumlee and Will Barton would be the salary cap filler, as well as solid role players who New Orleans could either keep if they intend to follow through with a quick rebuild, or trade for more assets. Tyler Lydon and the first round pick are just to provide more value for the Pelicans, but New Orleans may want to swap out Lydon for Beasley or Hernangomez, as those two have already proven they are NBA-ready players.

While it would be a tough pill to swallow for Denver to give up so much, Davis would be more than worth this package. Not to mention by getting rid of Barton and Plumlee’s eight-figure contracts and by declining Millsap’s $31 million team option for 2019-20, Denver would have more than enough money in free agency to go after a third star or two or three talented role players to pair with Jokic and Davis.

This deal would be mutually beneficial for both sides, as it allows the Pelicans to earn a high draft pick the next few seasons while still collecting promising and established players, and it gives the Nuggets a chance to make the jump from a good team in the Western Conference to a potential dynasty.

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