NBA News Roundup, Friday, May 3rd: Anthony Davis to join the Knicks, Popovich wants Rudy Gay to re-sign and more

After a somewhat modest showing in round one, the 2019 postseason is starting to kick into full gear. The Houston Rockets are embroiled in a bitter grudge series against a Warriors team looking to win a third consecutive championship, whereas the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks may need seven games to decide a winner.

Elsewhere, the annual NBA draft is less than two months away, and all eyes are on Zion Williamson -- who many have labeled as the most promising teenager to enter the NBA since LeBron James.

A number of the NBA's biggest free agents will also be up for grabs in the coming months, and with plenty going on around the league, here are all the latest news and rumors you need to know for May 3rd.

#1 New York Knicks among the favorites to sign Anthony Davis

After a failing to force a move away from the Pelicans back in February, Anthony Davis is expected to be traded this summer. The All-Star has just one-year remaining on his current deal, and Dan Favale is reporting that the Knicks may emerge as serious contenders for Davis' signature:

Luckily for the Knicks, they are, perhaps inexplicably, considered near-locks to land not one but two superstars - most likely Kevin Durant (player option) and Kyrie Irving (player option). Bagging one or both of them instantly ushers the Knicks to the forefront of the Anthony Davis sweepstakes - provided their draft position doesn't bomb during the lottery.

Davis has spent his entire career with the New Orleans franchise, although during his tenure with the Pelicans, he has featured in the playoffs just twice.

In addition to the Knicks' apparent interest in Davis, the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics are also expected to make major offers in the coming weeks.

#2 Gregg Popovich wants to bring Rudy Gay back next season

San Antonio Spurs v Denver Nuggets - Game Five

Rudy Gay's current contract with the San Antonio Spurs is set to expire this summer, although Tom Osborn of the San Antonio Express-News is reporting that Gregg Popovich remains keen on bringing the veteran back:

We are hoping we can figure out a way to keep him here. He's a great team-mate, has a great personality, great sense of humour. He's a very outgoing individual. He's an easy team-mate to be with, so he makes people feel comfortable. Rudy is a scorer. He’s somebody who changes games. And he’s gotten better rebounding-wise and defensively, which was never his forte. But he understands the importance of it and is just getting better every year.

During the 18/19 season, Gay averaged 13.7 points and 6.8 rebounds in 26.7 minutes per game this season. He also shot more than 40% from three-point range.

#3 Malcolm Brogdon is expected to command a big contract this summer

Despite being hit with a plantar fascia tear in his right foot, Malcolm Brogdon has enjoyed the best season of his career. The 26-year-old has averaged 15.6 points and 4.5 rebounds per game, also shooting a career-high 43% from beyond the arc, and Gery Woelfel of Woelfel's Press Box is reporting that Brogdon could be rewarded with a major pay-day this summer:

Late in the regular season, Bledsoe signed what some league officials considered a subpar contract, one that will pay him $70 million over the next four seasons – or $17.5 million per season. There are some NBA officials who contend Brogdon is as good or even better, than Bledsoe.

There are several teams that need a quality guard. I would say he’ll get between $14 million to $16 million. That would be my guess.

With Khris Middleton also potentially hitting free-agency this summer, it appears that the Bucks will struggle to match any salary offers for Brogdon from rival teams.

Edited by Alan John