Los Angeles Lakers: 5 reasons Anthony Davis trade is a win

5. They could still have room for another max star player

The timing of this trade means everything for the cap flexibility of the Lakers to sign a max free agent this summer. More specifically, when this trade is finalized is the difference between the Lakers having enough money to sign a superstar caliber player to form a big three with LeBron and AD.

If this deal is finished on July 6th, then the Lakers will only have $23.7 million in cap space and would not have enough money to offer a max contract to anyone. However, if AD waived his $4 million trade kicker, or if they amended the Pelican’s deal to include last year’s draft picks Moritz Wagner and Isaac Bonga, then they would have enough room to make it work.

Also, if the deal is completed on or after July 30th, then they would have about $32.5 million in cap space because their number four pick’s salary would be included in the deal.

So why would the Lakers not just wait until the 30th to make the deal? Basically, because New Orleans might force them to.

From the Pelicans standpoint, they would rather make the deal sooner rather than later, because then the number four overall pick would be allowed to play summer league with them and they could use it as a trade asset to try and move up in the draft as well. They also would assumingly try to stop the Lakers from forming a super team in their own conference.

If the Pelicans will only deal AD before the 30th, then the Lakers still have options and they will be looking at some of the premier names in the game if they do indeed create the necessary space for one of them. They have already been reportedly linked to reigning finals MVP Kawhi Leonard, LeBron’s former running mate Kyrie Irving, Jimmy Butler, and Kemba Walker.

Those four primary targets are the only elite level players that the Lakers would regard highly enough to offer them a max contract. If none of them bite at the chance to complete a big three, or if the Lakers do not open the necessary cap room, then they will have to look at B level role players like Danny Green or J.J. Reddick to round out the roster.

Not only did this trade net one superstar amid his prime, but it could allow the Lakers to sign yet another one to make one of the best starting fives in Lakers history. That alone should quiet anyone saying that the Lakers lost this trade or gave up too much to make it happen.