Recent Los Angeles Lakers rumors may disappoint some people, as the team has reportedly pulled out of the Anthony Davis sweepstakes.
Another day, another update on the most recent Los Angeles Lakers rumors. This one, once again, involved the New Orleans Pelicans and Anthony Davis.
Los Angeles has been pushing to acquire Davis for about a week now. With the NBA Trade Deadline less than 48 hours away, the organization seemed to be getting desperate with their pursuit of Davis.
Los Angeles reportedly put a monster offer on the table, pushing all their chips onto the table. Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma, Michael Beasley, Rajon Rondo, Lance Stephenson and two first round picks were offered.
The Pelicans declined that offer, as they were looking for even more in a deal. Things have hit a breaking point, for now, as the Lakers have reportedly pulled out of the Davis trade sweepstakes, for now.
According to Brad Turner, the Lakers pulled out of trade negotiations amid the outrageous asking price that the Pelicans had for Davis.
Lakers pull out of Anthony Davis trade talks amid 'outrageous' requests by Pelicans https://t.co/VpB2P0pGa6
— Brad Turner (@BA_Turner) February 5, 2019
According to Turner, Magic Johnson got in touch with Pelicans’ general manager, Dell Demps, on Tuesday morning and let him know that the Lakers had made their best offer and would not be increasing the offer. Instead, they would be moving on to other tasks.
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This was a smart move by Johnson and Rob Pelinka. The offer that was reportedly made, which included six players and two draft picks is very steep. Giving in to the Pelicans’ demands for between six and eight draft picks would have been lunacy.
Had the Lakers agreed to increase their offer, they would have essentially been trading two rosters for Davis; the one they have now and a future roster, given all of the draft picks that were asked for.
According to Turner, the Lakers even updated the offer mentioned earlier. Josh Hart and Ivica Zubac were added, along with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. That means the entire young core was put in an offer along with draft picks. In addition, Los Angeles was going to eat into some of their future cap space by taking on Solomon Hill.
Lakers fans should rejoice that the Pelicans rejected this offer. While acquiring Davis becomes a tougher task this summer, when the Boston Celtics can get involved, trading away that many assets for a single player is a poor way to build the roster.
Had that deal been accepted, the Lakers would be left with LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Solomon Hill, Svi Mykhailiuk, Isaac Bonga, Johnathan Williams and Moritz Wagner. That doesn’t sound much like a championship contender.
At this point, it is fair to ask, which was dumber? The Lakers actually putting that offer on the table, or the Pelicans rejecting it? New Orleans must really like Jayson Tatum.