Los Angeles Lakers: Should NBA intervene with organization?
By Ronald Agers
Whether the Lakers draft a player or trade the pick, they have to get it right
The Los Angeles Lakers were extremely “blessed” to move up in the lottery to the 4th selection in the upcoming draft.
I know that fans are drooling at the possibility of getting a top flight college players such as Darius Garland out of Vanderbilt, Jarrett Culver out of Texas Tech, De’Andre Hunter out of Virginia, or Cam Reddish out of Duke. Let’s not leave R.J. Barrett out of the mix either. Nothing is a foregone conclusion when it comes to the New York Knicks. They could do anything at this point.
There is the common narrative that the Los Angeles Lakers will use the pick as trade bait to chase after Anthony Davis in the offseason. Let me give everyone a spoiler alert; the Los Angeles Lakers will not get Anthony Davis in a trade. Sorry. Won’t happen.
The Pelicans just will not deal with the Lakers under any circumstances. Argue if you wish, but Lake Show Life is thorough! We have the inside track on what the Pelicans are thinking. Times haven’t changed.
But let’s explore the possibilities that David Griffin actually picks up the phone to hear the Lakers offer. Here’s the reported offer at the deadline.
The Lakers had reportedly agreed to send Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, Ivica Zubac, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and two first round picks to New Orleans for Anthony Davis last season but it was turned down. Then again, that was Dell Demps not David Griffin.
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) May 15, 2019
Now listen to Griffin’s take on the reported offer.
So breaking this down, the guy on the right that basically analyzed the trade talks months ago, is now who the Lakers have to deal with.
David Griffin is a brilliant basketball mind with the complete backstory dealing with negotiations this summer. He just told you how he’s going handle things. Does anyone know who is going to do the negotiations? Rob Pelinka? The Rambis power couple? Who? I know one thing based on what Jason Kidd said on the NBA TV set; don’t send him…PLEASE!
The point here is this. No matter if the Lakers keep the pick or use it for trade bait, the front office is not competent enough at this time to make a slam dunk decision that they have to with this situation coming in the summer.
The Los Angeles Lakers have to make a great move this offseason. No Moritz Wagner‘s in this draft who is considered a project. No Julius Randle or D’Angelo Russell who will take a couple of years to develop.
They have to pick the best player in the draft not named Zion Williamson or Ja Morant.
Do you really think this front office will be able to do it? If they don’t, Adam Silver could take this over.