The Los Angeles Lakers look poised to go from a team who missed the playoffs to a title favorite after their blockbuster move to bring all-star Anthony Davis to Los Angeles. Fans of the Lakers may have more to worry about after the move than they think though.
The NBA powers potentially shifted when news of the Los Angeles Lakers trading for all-star power forward Anthony Davis broke. Immediately, people around the league reacted as if the Lakers became the favorite in the league seemingly in an instant, thanks to the move. Acquiring a talent such as Davis is always a big deal, but it may not end as well for Los Angeles as they hoped.
Bringing in a star like Davis naturally would come at a steep price, and the Lakers paid possibly the steepest price an NBA trade has ever seen. Not only did Los Angeles send three promising young players: Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, and Josh Hart, but also three first round picks, and the option to swap first-round picks in 2023.
Among those first round picks is this year’s 4th overall pick, which the New Orleans Pelicans traded to the Atlanta Hawks that led to them acquiring three new picks. This means the Pelicans brought in three players to help right away, three first round picks, which could turn into even more young players to help rebuild the franchise. When you list it all out, it almost seems like the Pelicans came out on top in the trade, and when you take a deeper look that becomes even clearer.
Here are five reasons why Lakers fans should be worried after giving up so much to get Anthony Davis.