After missing out of Paul George last summer, it’s even more important for the Los Angeles Lakers to land Anthony Davis
The Los Angeles Lakers reportedly offered the farm for New Orleans Pelicans superstar Anthony Davis before pulling out of talks.
The Lakers front office low-balled the Pelicans with their first trade offer, and this led to speculation that the Lakers could let Davis hit the market, hoping the seductive mystique of Los Angeles lures him to town via free agency.
However, the Lakers second trade offer didn’t hold back with their young core of Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma, Lonzo Ball, two first-round draft picks, and three veterans for Anthony Davis and Solomon Hill.
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The Lakers ended talks for Davis after the Pelicans requested more draft picks à la a Hershal Walker trade.
Anthony Davis is still under contract for the next two seasons. The Pelicans could trade Davis to the Boston Celtics in the offseason for a king’s ransom of picks and players. Davis could get a change of scenery and decided to stay.
Pelicans and Davis’ situation eerily mirrors Paul George‘s last season in Indiana. The Pacers traded George with one-year remaining on his contract in the belief he would not re-sign with the team.
Last summer, then free agent shooting guard Paul George re-signed with the Oklahoma City Thunder, after years of speculation of joining the Lakers via trade or free agency.
The trade rumors may be eroding Los Angeles’ team chemistry with the 42-point blow out loss the Pacers earlier in the week. Postgame, LeBron James explained to the media that his team should log off of social media. The team bounced back with a last-minute victory over the Celtics.
The Lakers are in a win-now situation with LeBron James eager to win more titles, and teams are stockpiling all-stars, time is of the essence for the Lakers to land superstars. A trade in which giving up a young core of players most being high first rounders may still not be enough to compete for a title in the modern NBA.