Los Angeles Lakers: 3 best trades/signings of 2010s
2. Anthony Davis Trade
The Los Angeles Lakers received: Anthony Davis
The New Orleans Pelicans received: Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, three 1st-round picks, a future 1st-round pick swap, and cash considerations
The Washington Wizards received: Moritz Wagner, Isaac Bonga, Jemerrio Jones, and a 1st round draft pick
Finally a completed trade! A trade a very long time in the making. The Anthony Davis to the Los Angeles Lakers trade was a drama in itself.
With Magic Johnson making everyone not named LeBron James available via trade for Davis last season, it only took a minor bit of genius from former Pelicans GM Dell Demps to make Magic Johnson believe that he was getting Anthony Davis at the trade deadline only to shut the door in his face and completely ruin the Lakers chemistry for the rest of the season.
It took the firing of Demps and the resignation of Magic for Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka and newly hired Pelicans president of basketball operation David Griffin to renew talks and finally get the deal done for AD.
While some can argue that the Lakers paid over the odds to get Davis, the matter of the fact is that Davis is now a Laker in his prime and is playing alongside LeBron James, which right away gives the Lakers a legitimate title shot this season. With all love and respect to Ingram, Ball, and Hart, they alone would not be enough to bring another banner to Staples center.
In Davis’ short time with the purple and gold, he has shown the league that he is well worth the steep cost.
Davis has been nothing short of spectacular for the Los Angeles Lakers this season. His ability on both ends of the floor was renowned before he joined the Lakers but since he has joined the purple and gold, Davis has exceeded all expectations.
On offense, Davis is capable of dominating any way he sees fit.
He can take you into the post and use his vast array of post moves to get an easy basket. He can also use his physically imposing frame to back down his man and get to the basket at will. If he is double or triple-teamed in the post, Davis has the passing ability and vision to hit an open man for a wide-open 3-point shot.
Outside of the paint, Davis is capable of using his handles to blow by his man and make it to the rim where he can dunk on virtually anyone in the league with his elite athleticism.
He can also shoot the ball from anywhere. While his 3-point shot is still a work in progress, he looks significantly more comfortable shooting the ball this season and will be even more dangerous when he gets his 3-point percentage up to even league average. His 15-20 foot shots are going down at a solid rate and he is becoming even more well rounded in his offensive game.
Not to mention he is one of the premier pick and roll players in the league. Not bad for a 26-year-old who is only entering his prime.
If you looked at the above you would think that Davis is known for his offensive skills. Oh no. Were Davis is truly the elite of the elite is on defense.
One of the best rim protectors since Hakeem Olajuwon and Dikembe Mutombo, Davis entered the NBA as a rookie as one of the best shot-blockers in the entire league and not much has changed since then. While the number of blocks he gets is amazing in its own right, the number of shots he alters do not show up on the stat sheet.
Any player who enters the paint becomes aware that Davis’ length, reflexes, and athleticism is going to force them to alter the shot and either make a more difficult shot or pass out of the paint to a teammate.
Davis’ ability to stay in front of not just his man but even opposing guards is incredible. Capable of guarding each team’s best players, Davis gives his team a great chance of winning every time he steps on the floor.
While it is early days, the Lakers have an extremely bright future with Anthony Davis on the roster.