Los Angeles Lakers: Trade for Anthony Davis now is short sighted

A Los Angeles Lakers trade for Anthony Davis, at this time, would be a short-sighted move for the organization.

Rumors have swirled over the past week about the Los Angeles Lakers making a possible move for Anthony Davis. Dependent on what you give up, this could be a viable option to push the team to the next level this season. “Dependent on what you give up” being the operative phrase here.

Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka made it very clear after signing LeBron James this summer that this was a two-year process. With so many moving pieces next summer (specifically Kevin Durant) the balance of power could potentially shift in the Lakers direction depending on who they can acquire.

Currently, the Lakers appear to be figuring some things out. They have drastically improved their defensive struggles and seem to have figured out an offensive rotation. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has come on in the last few games shooting the ball. And Brandon Ingram is beginning to be more aggressive before his ankle injury against the San Antonio Spurs.

This group is beginning to gel in a tight Western Conference after a sluggish start to the season. How good can they be? Time will tell. You certainly cannot get worse adding a top-3 player in Anthony Davis. My only hesitation is that the Lakers have options. Pulling the trigger on an early season trade may not be the best one.

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As currently constructed, there are three teams out west that the Lakers could struggle with come playoff time. Obviously, the Golden State Warriors who appear to be on their way to four titles in five years.

You also have the Denver Nuggets, a team that the Lakers have already beaten this season, who also embarrassed them in Denver.

Oklahoma City is a very good team and playing well currently. I worry about their bench at times and its’ ability to put points on the board in those stretches where Russell Westbrook and Paul George sit. Inserting Terrence Ferguson into the starting lineup and allowing Dennis Schroeder to anchor the second unit has helped, but I do not think they have enough to contend.

You never want to concede a season, but, at this point, everyone is playing for second place. The Warriors will get DeMarcus Cousins back somewhere around the All-Star break, if not sooner. Understanding that, all moves should be made accordingly.

Listen, I understand Anthony Davis is the best big man in the association. We know what he brings to the game night in and night out. Acquiring him may very well stamp a ticket to the Western Conference Finals. But is he enough to outlast the Warriors in seven games without a supporting cast?

Realistically, to make a trade for Davis work, the Lakers would have to include Ingram or Kyle Kuzma, if not both, with picks. The Spurs (while it was an absurd offer) wanted Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Kuzma, and picks. And Anthony Davis is better than Kawhi Leonard!

The key word for this Los Angeles Lakers front office is patience. Hypothetically, if this group of top picks does not turn out to be stars, is it imaginable that they can transform into one the best cast of role players in the NBA?

Why deplete that possibility for what you can get next summer without giving up assets? Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma, and Lonzo Ball have all shown flashes. The smart move here is to play this season and let your young core grow.

Perhaps you land a Kahwi Leonard or a fully recovered Boogie Cousins this summer. At that point, you have the best player on the planet and another star or superstar to go along with your blossoming young core.

Should the Lakers whiff in free agency next summer, maybe you make the deal then if you do not trust that these players will ascend to stardom. In the short term, the smart move again is to play the long game and weigh your options going into next summer.

In the end, I do not think a deal gets done. If you are the Pelicans, why trade Anthony Davis without getting a superstar back when you have him locked up until 2020?

Time will tell, but I do not believe that Magic and Rob Pelinka are that short-sighted nor are the Pelicans that dumb. But hey, crazier things have happened in this league. Who knows really.