Knicks Eye Anthony Davis to Boost Title Bid

Merlin sees New York, 9-6 and still hungry, quietly prepping for a bigger push: SNY’s Ian Begley reports the Knicks “would at least check in with [the Dallas Mavericks] if/when Anthony Davis becomes available,” because they “want to win a title this season.” Davis has played just five games this year and battled injuries, but when healthy he’s a two-way difference maker who would vault Jalen Brunson and Karl‑Anthony Towns into bona fide favorites. Merlin notes the market will roar to life in the next few weeks — Begley says the trade market “will materialize in earnest” — and Dallas will attract calls from many suitors. The wrinkle is health and cost: New York could pounce only if Dallas prices Davis below market, otherwise chemistry and cap math become a different kind of magic.