Anthony Davis hasn’t given the Pelicans a list of preferred destinations.
But he hired LeBron James’ agent, Rich Paul. LeBron has openly recruited Davis to Los Angeles. The Lakers have reportedly preserved assets to trade for Davis.
There is good reason so much attention is focused on the Lakers.
What would it take for them to get Davis?
Brad Turner of the Los Angeles Times:
Hearing from sources if Lakers want Anthony Davis, who has requested a trade, LA has to start the deal with Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, Ivica Zubac, No. 1 pick.
— Brad Turner (@BA_Turner) January 28, 2019
Tania Ganguli of the Los Angeles Times:
In recent weeks, the Lakers have been adamant internally that they won't trade Lonzo Ball. It's unclear if that has changed now that Anthony Davis is potentially on the table.
— Tania Ganguli (@taniaganguli) January 28, 2019
Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, Ivica Zubac and a first-round pick for Davis doesn’t work under the salary cap. If the Lakers added Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, it would.
And sure, why not? The Lakers should rush to make that trade.
Their young players – also including Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart and Moritz Wagner – are merely fine. If Los Angeles can get a superstar like Davis for that group, go for it.
I’m not convinced the Pelicans will be amenable, but the Pelicans haven’t been well-run. Who knows what they’d do?
The Lakers’ best leverage is Davis saying he’d re-sign only with them. At that point, maybe an offer of Ball, Kuzma, Zubac, Caldwell-Pope and a first-round pick looks appealing enough. But even then, other teams might risk trading for Davis – who has a season and a half left before free agency – as a super-rental/someone they must convince to re-sign.
It’s already disappointing in New Orleans that Davis wants to leave. Getting this package for him would only further the letdown.
