Rumors and Rumblings: No, the Knicks Should NOT Trade for Anthony Davis

The Knicks are getting set to host the OKC Thunder this afternoon. With New York about to embark on a brutal West Coast road trip in which they play five games in seven days (which starts Tuesday in Utah and then continues Wednesday in Denver on the second night of a back-to-back), Sunday's matinee takes on added importance. 

However, before getting an up-close look at rising superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and his Thunder mates, a quick check on the rumor mill…

Ian Begley of SNY.tv reported Friday that teams are kicking the tires on Immanuel Quickley, asking New York what they might want in return for the young gun. 

"It's logical to assume that the Knicks would be hesitant to move Quickley, a strong combo guard drafted by the club in 2020," said Begley. "But teams look at the Knicks roster and see a surplus of young players/potential rotation players. There aren't enough minutes for everyone. So some teams feel that the Knicks will consider trading off at least one of the young players on their roster as the deadline approaches."

Such discussions make sense in theory, as the Knicks have a bit of a log jam in the backcourt. As I wrote earlier this week, Evan Fournier is making $18 million this season and is set to earn $18.9 million in 2022-23. He was removed from the starting lineup earlier this month and has struggled mightily off the bench. Over New York's past six games, he is averaging 3.2 points (on 23% shooting) in 14.6 minutes. And that's with Quentin Grimes still working his way back from a foot injury. 

When Grimes is fully healthy, either Fornier or Cam Reddish could be out of the rotation entirely, unless Thibs is willing to play 11 guys every night, which seems unlikely. 

However, although the Knicks would be open to trading one of their guards/wings, Quickley is a player they'd prioritize holding onto. There is a reason they were hesitant to include him in a deal for Donovan Micthell this summer. And although he's struggled with his shot thus far this season, the coaching staff and the front office hold IQ in high regard. 

Fournier would obviously be the player New York would prefer to deal, but teams are undoubtedly scared off by his hefty contract and declining production. The Knicks would likely need to attach draft capital to Fournier in order to find a taker. 

In other rumored trade-related news, The Ringer's Bill Simmons said on his podcast earlier this week that there have been some rumblings about Los Angeles Lakers' possibly considering deals for Anthony Davis. Incredibly, L.A. has lost 10 of their first 12 games this season and, according to Simmons, if the Lakers continue to lose, they might part ways with Davis

.

"There's some buzz, just some buzzing that AD might be available," Simmons said Monday. "That is a Plan B because of the Westbrook trade, or what they can get for Westbrook, whether you want to give future assets, maybe that doesn't even make sense for the Lakers."