NBA notebook: Davis wants trade to Lakers or Knicks

[June 12, 2019]  Klutch Sports and Anthony Davis envision the Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks as the only fitting destinations for the All-Star power forward.

According to The Athletic, Davis narrowed his official preferred list of four teams submitted to the Pelicans at the 2019 All-Star break to only two. Still, Davis has no say in the matter based on his existing contract. He could choose to instruct Rich Paul and Klutch Sports to inform suitors he will not sign beyond next season, but the same message of uncertainty didn't halt the Toronto Raptors' 2018 pursuit of Kawhi Leonard.

In the meantime, the Pelicans are trying to get a grip on Davis' market. Davis said during the 2019 All-Star break that he wouldn't turn down a trade "anywhere" in the NBA but described his motive as "just wanting to win."

--Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant was traveling to New York City on Tuesday for evaluations on the injury, league sources told The Athletic.

Durant was lost in Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Toronto Raptors on Monday and likely for months to come with a ruptured right Achilles.
 

Durant, who is three weeks from another foray into free agency, played for the first time since May 8, when he strained his right calf. He exited in the second quarter in a game the Warriors won 106-105 to prevent Toronto from winning the series.

--MVP finalist Paul George of the Oklahoma City Thunder underwent left shoulder surgery to repair a small tear in his labrum, the team announced.

The surgery comes five weeks after George underwent right shoulder surgery to repair a partially torn tendon.

George, who is also a finalist for Defensive Player of the Year, established career-best averages of 28 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.2 steals while sinking a career-high 292 3-pointers in 77 games this season. He also matched his career high of 4.1 assists per game.

--Charlotte Hornets forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist underwent surgery for a chronic groin strain.

The Hornets said Kidd-Gilchrist is expected to be available for the start of training camp in September.

The 25-year-old Kidd-Gilchrist averaged 6.7 points and 3.8 rebounds in 64 games last season (three starts). In seven seasons with the Hornets, Kidd-Gilchrist is averaging 8.8 points and 5.6 rebounds in 421 games (356 starts).

New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) grabs a rebound in the first half of the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

--The Memphis Grizzlies hired former Milwaukee Bucks assistant Taylor Jenkins as their head coach.

The Grizzlies fired J.B. Bickerstaff at the end of the 2018-19 season. Jenkins will be introduced at a Wednesday press conference.

Jenkins was assistant to head coach Mike Budenholzer for the past six seasons, five with the Atlanta Hawks (2013-18) and last year with the Bucks. Jenkins will oversee a reshaped roster in Memphis that could include dealing point guard Mike Conley as the Grizzlies hold the No. 2 pick in the 2019 draft and are expected to select Murray State point guard Ja Morant.

--The Golden State Warriors, even without the injured Durant, were listed as a consensus three-point favorite Tuesday to win Game 6 of the NBA Finals.

Golden State opened as a 4.5-point favorite for Game 6. Westgate posted the Warriors with a 2.5-point edge on Tuesday. Toronto, leading 3-2 in the finals, is at -320 to win the best-of-seven series, according to FanDuel. Golden State is +230 to win the series, which would conclude Sunday in Toronto, if necessary.

It's a two-man Finals MVP race, with Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard the favorite at -323 on FanDuel, while Warriors guard Stephen Curry is at +240.

--Hornets forward Marvin Williams exercised his $15 million player option for the 2019-20 season and will return to Charlotte.

Williams, who turns 33 on June 19, was the second overall pick by the Atlanta Hawks in 2005 out of North Carolina and played for the Utah Jazz before joining the Hornets.

In 75 games last season, Williams averaged 10.1 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. He has a career average of 10.5 points and 5.3 rebounds in 1,014 games.

--Field Level Media

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