Are the events of the NBA Finals hurting the Los Angeles Lakers’ chances of landing Anthony Davis?
In February, Lakers rumors were circulating everywhere about if the Los Angeles Lakers would swing a deal at the trading deadline for Anthony Davis. Many media outlets were just sure that the Lakers had Davis in their clutches just in time for LeBron James to get in his “playoff mode” and make a run for the playoffs. Well Lake Show Life did not see it that way. First, it was reported and broken down as to why the Lakers had no chance at landing Anthony Davis.
Then the coverage of Anthony Davis trade saga went into a totally different direction. The impending doom that was the Lakers season was evident to LeBron and the front office because the desperation was totally evident.
Now it seems ever since Magic Johnson stepped down as President of Basketball Operations about three hours and a half before the season ended on April 9th, the Lakers brass have done everything in their power to show the NBA world that LeBron James does not run the Lakers. Maybe Jeanie Buss got a hold of Lake Show Life’s piece on a possible “LeBron James corporate takeover”!
Lakers fans, understand that all of this drama with the exception of Magic Johnson’s resignation was done in 10 days. Then, soon after, the Pelicans placed Anthony Davis on a minutes restriction and showed Dell Demps the door the night before the All-Star festivities began.
Hold on to that time frame…10 days.
Well about 10 days before the NBA Draft, we all can get ready to start the Lakers rumors cycle all over again. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Pelicans have opened up negotiations around the NBA listening to potential offers for Anthony Davis.
The only teams that reportedly have a chance are the Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks, Los Angeles Clippers and the Lakers. The Boston Celtics after being in the catbird seat has fallen almost fell out of the conversation having to wait on the plans of Kyrie Irving. But the Celtics have Danny Ainge in the front office so they will never be counted out in my eyes. He’s pulled off crazier deals in the past. These negotiations will be very different from January. For David Griffin to even be interested in a deal, there must be a third team involved.
You may have read or heard Lakers fans all over give their opinion on how great a deal the Lakers can offer the Pelicans and why they should accept the deal. I say this…
Okay…and?
Last month, Lake Show Life brought in David Grubb and asked detailed questions on what the Lakers had to give up to make this deal work. No matter what reports say about the Pelicans liking the deal back around the trade deadline, the bottom line is the Pelicans did not take it. Bringing in a third team means that Griffin is not any more enamored with the Lakers assets than before. The third team needs to be able to offer assets (picks, players, expiring contracts for future moves etc.) to help placate David Griffin.
The Lakers made a huge mistake offering up everyone on the roster except LeBron James and couple of others in the past. Now Griffin is going to use those offers for leverage to ask for more and with a third team in the mix, he could actually get it.
After Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Monday night, not only did the free agency change for the Lakers, but the entire NBA. Let’s delve into what happened and how it can affect the Anthony Davis negotiations…