Utah Jazz: What would it take to get Anthony Davis?

With Anthony Davis officially requesting a trade from the New Orleans Pelicans, we’ll evaluate just what the Utah Jazz would hypothetically have to give up to get him.

Anthony Davis and his agent sent shock waves through the NBA on Monday. Many had seen the writing on the wall, but Davis has officially advised the New Orleans Pelicans that he has no plans of re-signing with the team during the 2020 offseason, and he has subsequently requested a trade from the team.

The trade deadline is just nine days away, so many teams are now scrambling to put together the best packages they can muster in an effort to land the coveted 25-year-old big man. Davis also happens to be in the midst of the best season of his career, with averages of 29.3 points, 13.3 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 2.6 blocks. Despite those mind-boggling numbers, the Pelicans are still meandering six games under .500.

There are a few things that need to be addressed in regards to the Davis situation. First, he has not demanded to be traded prior to the trade deadline, and it actually makes more sense for the Pelicans to wait. My assumption is that the only potential trade destination prior to the trade deadline that makes sense is the Los Angeles Lakers (I know this is probably the first you’re hearing about Davis being linked to the Lakers, but believe me, there have been quiet rumors).

There are more restrictions to in-season trades that don’t apply during the offseason, and it is beneficial to know where others teams are slated in the draft process as well.

Secondly, Davis has not yet announced specific teams that he would like to be traded to. Technically, he doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract, so he has no ability to veto a trade. That doesn’t mean he can’t make it hard though.

There is only one guaranteed year left on Davis’s contract, and any team looking to trade for him is going to want assurances that he is fully expecting to re-sign with them after that one year. Some teams may talk themselves into winning him over during that one year (see the Toronto Raptors and Kawhi Leonard), but it will scare many away. If a team emerges as a front-runner in the Davis trade negotiations and he knows he does not want to play there, he can come out and say, “I only want to play for the Lakers. So if you trade for me, I don’t plan on re-signing.”

Sometime in the near future, look for leaks to begin emerging from Davis’s camp specifying what teams he actually wants to play for, and who he would consider re-signing with in 2020.

Now to the Utah Jazz. When a talent like Anthony Davis becomes available, even if the realistic likelihood of getting that player is slim, it still needs to be explored. So if the Jazz were to do their due diligence and look into a trade for Davis, what would it take?

He is under contract for the 2019-20 season, and is set to be paid $25, 434,263. The Jazz would not only need to match that dollar amount, but the Pelicans are likely going to want youth, potential and future draft picks in return.

If the Jazz were to call the Pelicans to inquire about trading for Davis, the first thing the Pelicans would be wanting is either Rudy Gobert or Donovan Mitchell. While Gobert has the edge on defense, it is really only a slight edge. On the flip-side, Davis is one of the most talented offensive big men we’ve ever seen. If you’re the Utah Jazz, the idea of pairing Mitchell and Davis is mouthwatering.

As far as salaries are concerned, the teams could technically do Davis for Gobert, straight up. Davis is a top 3 player in the league, talent wise, but I strongly believe Gobert is a top 10 player. So the gap between the two is not as monumental as others may think. The Pelicans can get more from other teams, though, so let’s include some more players.

Ever since the rumors of there being mutual interest between Nikola Mirotic and the Utah Jazz last season, I have been enamored by the thought of him coming to Utah and being the modern stretch four they could desperately use in Quin’s system. When healthy, he attempts seven threes per game, and shoots 37 percent. With a rebuild likely for the Pelicans, Derrick Favors is a talented player on a desirable contract.

After the major pieces have been included, the Jazz throw in Dante Exum as a future potential building block, Sefolosha’s expiring contract and Grayson Allen as another young player with potential. In order to make the salaries work, I have the Pelicans including E’Twaun Moore, who is averaging 12 points per game over the last two seasons, and shoots 42 percent from three.

There may need to be some additional future picks thrown in, but the foundation of a solid trade for both teams is there.

For the Pelicans, you have replaced Anthony Davis with another star center who is still 90 percent of what you are losing. You are adding a young guard in Dante Exum who is already an elite defensive prospect, and is only going to get better offensively. Imagine the defensive potential of Gobert-Exum-Holiday lineups. Then throw in Grayson Allen who could turn into a solid role player off the bench.

For the Jazz, you now have a starting lineup of Davis-Mirotic-Ingles-Mitchell-Rubio…I may have talked myself into this trade, because that lineup sounds impossible to stop.

When you consider the risk versus the rewards of going all in for Davis, it likely isn’t worth it for the Jazz. The possibilities are intriguing, though, because Davis could help lure in some higher end free agents during this loaded off-season, and then the Jazz would be a legitimate contender for a title next season. I believe that they are happy with the roster and trajectory of the team as currently constituted, though, and without a guarantee of Davis re-signing, the assets that they would have to give up for a one-year rental just isn’t worth it.

Regardless of what happens, I will be anxiously awaiting for the Woj Bomb to send ripples through the NBA.