NBA Trade Rumours Roundup, February 7th: Anthony Davis to the Lakers update, Enes Kanter trade and more

Ahead of the annual All-Star Event in North Carolina, the window to make trades in the NBA will close today at 3 pm. The trade window has historically closed on the Thursday after the All-Star Game, however, since 2018, the deadline has closed 10 days before the NBA's best players face off in the prestigious game.

The deadline was moved forward in order to allow traded players to sort out arrangements for both themselves and their families, and this means that teams are quickly running out of time to make any final moves.

The last 48 hours have already resulted in a major trade between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Philadelphia 76ers that could potentially change the landscape of the Eastern Conference, and more huge moves are possible in the final hours of the trade window. So, as the NBA trade deadline quickly approaches, here are the biggest trade rumors for 7th February.

#3 Trevor Ariza won't be heading to Los Angeles

The Los Angeles Lakers continue to scour the NBA for additions ahead of the trade deadline, and over the last week, the Lakers have reportedly re-ignited their interest in the Washington Wizards' Trevor Ariza. Nevertheless, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting that Ariza will not be moving to Los Angeles:

Lakers are interested, but Trevor Ariza and Washington Wizards remain in each's future plans, league sources tell ESPN. Ariza is enthusiastic about re-signing with Washington. Wizards' trades creating financial flexibility that'll make it easier to bring Ariza back on new deal

The Lakers tried to acquire Ariza from the Phoenix Suns back in November, although a trade couldn't be agreed due to Los Angeles' refusal to include Josh Hart. Ariza spent two seasons with the Lakers between 2007 and 2009, and the veteran was part of the Lakers' Championship winning team in 2009.

#2 The Knicks can't find a trade for Enes Kanter

Since trading away Kristaps Porzingis to the Dallas Mavericks last week, the New York Knicks have aggressively pursued moves to offload their remaining high earners. Among them is Enes Kanter who is earning $18.6 million this season, although ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting that the Turkish center is unlikely to be traded ahead of the deadline:

As the Knicks run out of time to find a trade for center Enes Kanter and his $18.6M expiring deal, discussions on a contract buyout are expected to begin as soon as the deadline passes on Thursday at 3 PM ET, league sources tell ESPN.

In 2019, Kanter's minutes on the court have been drastically reduced as the Knicks have prioritized the development of youth. Despite this, Kanter has still averaged a double-double with 14.0 points and 10.5 rebounds per game.

#1 Anthony Davis is unlikely to join the Lakers, interested in moving to the Knicks

The Los Angeles Lakers are still waiting for a response from the Pelicans in regards to their trade offer for Anthony Davis. The Lakers are believed to have offered their entire young core in addition to a number of draft picks, however, Marc Stein of the New York Times is reporting that a deal is unlikely to happen, and Davis is also considering a future move to the Knicks:

Anthony Davis has the Knicks on equal footing with the Los Angeles Lakers as he considers what teams he would be willing to join on a long-term deal after securing a trade from the New Orleans Pelicans, according to two people with knowledge of Davis’s thinking.

A trade to any team did not appear imminent Wednesday night, as Thursday’s 3 p.m. trade deadline drew near. But Davis’s recent request to be traded did not include a demand that the move happen before the deadline.

If Davis opts out of his player option for the 20/21 season, the 25-year-old will become a free agent in 2020. Davis was recently named as an All-Star for a sixth time, and so far this season, the Pelicans forward is averaging 29.3 points, 13.3 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game.

Edited by Arvind Sriram