New York Knicks Receive: F/C Anthony Davis
Oklahoma City Thunder Receive: G Evan Fournier, G Derrick Rose, 2023 First-Round Pick (NYK), 2023 First-Round Pick (DAL via NYK), 2026 First-Round Pick (Swap – LAL), 2027 First-Round Pick (LAL)
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: G Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
All of the trades in this piece will roughly follow this blueprint. There are good reasons for that.
First of all, the Thunder won’t deal Gilgeous-Alexander without receiving a boatload of draft capital in return. In fact, that’s the only conceivable reason this rebuilding team would trade a 23-year-old star.
On a related note, the Thunder won’t want Anthony Davis either. If they’re in the business of procuring win-now players, they’ll keep Gilgeous-Alexander. Furthermore, Davis, a 2026 pick swap, and 2027 unprotected first is about the only package the Lakers have that could sniff Gilgeous-Alexander’s trade value.
Ergo, a three team deal that has the Lakers sending Davis to one team, and that draft capital to the Thunder is required. In this one, they’re sending Davis to the Knicks to form a dynamic frontcourt with Julius Randle.
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If the Knicks aren’t interested in landing him, the Lakers and Thunder will need another third team to help them out.