Lakers Rumors: Anthony Davis traded to the Lakers, what got the deal done
By Ronald Agers
Recent Los Angeles Lakers rumors will elate fans, as the team has reportedly finally acquired Anthony Davis from the New Orleans Pelicans.
Recent Los Angeles Lakers rumors finally came to fruition.
The New Orleans Pelicans have agreed to trade Anthony Davis on a late Saturday night afternoon to the Los Angeles Lakers. I’m not sure if the fans are happy, sad or just happy that all of this is over with. I’m in the happy that all of this is over with the group.
After laying out reasons why the Lakers HAD to make the trade for Anthony Davis at all costs, they did just that trading away Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart and 3 first round picks which includes the No. 4 pick in this year’s draft on Thursday.
According to Brad Turner, it seemed that the phone lines were “down again” until the Lakers decided to add to the pot with first round picks…
With trade talks getting contentious, Pelicans president David Griffin didn’t take call from Lakers GM Rob Pelinka until fourth call today, per source. Pelicans changed mind on wanting Pelinka after getting 3 first round picks.
— Brad Turner (@BA_Turner) June 15, 2019
Was that offer in exchange for Kyle Kuzma, who was the “sticking point” in negotiations? Who knows and for many Lakers fans and especially LeBron James…who cares. The Lakers now have two superstars in the fold which was the plan in the first place when Magic Johnson took over. It seems that he’s happy about the trade…
Great job by Owner Jeanie Buss bringing Anthony Davis to the Lakers! Laker Nation, the Lakers are back in a championship hunt! Congratulations to the entire organization. I know LeBron James has a big smile on his face. I’m loving this!!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) June 15, 2019
In the end, Anthony Davis coming to the Lakers was a foregone conclusion. David Griffin basically squeezed all of the juice out of the orange so to speak trying to use Boston Celtics’ interest to poach more assets. With Kyrie Irving almost gone at this point, the Irving AD dream was dead. Griffin also had nowhere else to go with the Boston Celtics unwilling to give up Jayson Tatum for a one-year rental…
The Boston Celtics refused to make Jayson Tatum available in trade talks with New Orleans, league sources say, putting the Lakers in prime position to strike the deal that teams Anthony Davis with LeBron James
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 15, 2019
According to Yahoo! Sports Chris Haynes, Anthony Davis will still test free agency in 2020…
Anthony Davis, who could sign extension with the Lakers this offseason, will play out the 2019-20 season and enter free agency next year, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) June 15, 2019
But I really don’t think this is another Dwight Howard situation. This is just good business. Now the question is what will be the next move for the Lakers. Believe it or not, the Lakers can still bring in a max level free agent based on when the deal is finalized.
With Anthony Davis, the Lakers now have two of the top three all-time PER players in NBA history on the same squad. The top player owns the Charlotte Hornets in Michael Jordan. Well the Lakers will definitely be spending the rest of the offseason filling out the roster. The Lakers have under contract at this point…
- LeBron James
- Anthony Davis
- Kyle Kuzma
- Issac Bonga
- Moritz Wagner
Word around the campfire is that Kemba Walker is on the Lakers radar. Lake Show Life is efforting full coverage on the aftermath of the Anthony Davis trade.
For now, let’s have some fun and cation what Anthony Davis was thinking last year when LeBron James hit this shot at the end of the season against the Pelicans…