Los Angeles Lakers: 4 people facing most pressure in 2019-20

3. Anthony Davis

Prior to the 2019 NBA Trade Deadline, Anthony Davis requested a trade from the New Orleans Pelicans. The Los Angeles Lakers were the team he wanted to go to. While it didn’t happen in February, it happened before the 2019 NBA Draft.

Davis got his wish and now will be facing some pressure. For starters, playing in Los Angeles is a different animal than playing in New Orleans.

For how talented of a player Davis is, the Pelicans only made the postseason twice in his seven seasons there. Some of that can be placed on the supporting cast he was given, but it is still disappointing missing the postseason that often. The media frenzy that will follow such a lack of success will be earth-shattering in Los Angeles compared to what it was in New Orleans.

The package the Lakers traded to New Orleans also plays a part into the pressure that Davis will face. Los Angeles traded away three-quarters of their young core in Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball and Josh Hart. In addition, multiple future first-round draft picks were sent to New Orleans, in addition to potential pick swaps.

Trading that many assets make for a big risk. Davis has a lot to live up to but is supremely talented. He has a chance to be the next great Lakers big man, which has been a staple of all their greatest teams. George Mikan. Wilt Chamberlain. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Shaquille O’Neal. Pau Gasol. It is an impressive list that Davis could be added to.