Potential Trades and Sacrifices for Anthony Davis Acquisition by the LA Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers would likely have to make significant concessions in order to acquire Anthony Davis before the trade deadline. Davis is one of the best players in the NBA, and the Lakers would need to construct a compelling package to make a deal attractive for New Orleans Pelicans. This article explores the potential packages and the necessary sacrifices the Lakers might need to make.

Implications of Missing Anthony Davis

Even if Anthony Davis refuses to sign an extension elsewhere, the Lakers would benefit immensely from acquiring him immediately rather than risking losing two years of LeBron James's services. This would be a major missed opportunity as Lebron has consistently proven to be one of the most talented players in NBA history. Additionally, acting before the trade deadline and before the draft lottery would allow the Lakers to negotiate at a time when there are fewer competitors. Delaying the trade until May or July would result in a much higher chance of losing to stronger offers from other teams.

Current Package and Third-Party Involvement

The current assets the Lakers hold, including Lonzo Ball, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Brandon Ingram, and a couple of drafted picks, might not be enough to attract the Pelicans. New involvement of a third team could make the deal more viable. One potential partner is the Phoenix Suns. Lonzo Ball may not have a long-term future with the Pelicans, and the Suns have a strong need for a point guard.

Best Three-Way Trade Proposal

Here is the best three-way trade proposal:

Potential Trade Details

Pxampples:

Pxampples to New Orleans Pelicans: Anthony Davis, Solomon Hill, Wesley Johnson Pscssing from New Orleans Pelicans: Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma, Josh Hart, Ivica Zubac, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Lance Stephenson, Dragan Bender pick swap rights with Phoenix. Pscssing from Phoenix: Dragan Bender, Jamal Crawford, PHX 2019 first-round pick, PHX 2019 to NBA. Pscssing from Los Angeles Lakers: Lonzo Ball, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma, Josh Hart, Ivory Zubac, Lance Stephenson, 2019 unprotected first-round pick, 2021 unprotected first-round pick.

Explanation on the Pick Swap: New Orleans will own their own first-round pick and Los Angeles’ in the upcoming 2019 draft and can swap either pick.

Analysis of the Proposal

For Phoenix: They get Lonzo Ball, a young and valuable player. They also get a valuable future draft pick from Milwaukee, which can be important for their future planning. Dragan Bender, who might not fit their future plans, is being traded for a younger player, Jamal Crawford, who can still be a useful veteran in the locker room.

For Los Angeles: They get Anthony Davis, the primary goal. They also get Jamal Crawford, who can provide some offensive support and cap space relief. Additionally, taking back players like Brandon Ingram and Kyle Kuzma can help fill out their roster for the future.

For New Orleans: They receive Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma, and Josh Hart, who have shown potential to be solid starters. Zubac is also productive but may not develop into a star. The swap picks give them two chances in the lottery, which is crucial for getting Zion Williamson or other high picks. Rosters spots need to be adjusted, but overall, they are trading away a star player for a mix of potential starters and minor assets.

Challenges: One of the primary issues is the roster adjustment, requiring the creation of new roster spots. This could mean waiving players like Kenrich Williams, Frank Jackson, or others to make room for the new players.

In conclusion, while this proposed trade is complex and unlikely to be realized, it highlights the difficult choices teams must make to acquire top talent. The Lakers would need to trade significant pieces of their roster to get Anthony Davis, but the long-term benefits could be worth it.