Lake Show Life
Fansided

Lakers: The Anthony Davis trade and the 5 best trades of the decade

By Jason Reed

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 08: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers keeps the ball from Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers as he posts up during the first half at Staples Center on March 08, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 08: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers keeps the ball from Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers as he posts up during the first half at Staples Center on March 08, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) – Lakers
(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) – Lakers /

5. Paul George being traded to the Los Angeles Clippers to join Kawhi Leonard

Now, before we dive into this list, there are some notables trades that have been left off. The pick swap that landed Luka Doncic in Dallas did not make the list, nor did the Pacers trading Kawhi Leonard‘s draft rights make the list.

While both of those trades had and will continue to have league-wide repercussions, we are focusing more on trades that had established players involved in some capacity.

Realistically, the Los Angeles Clippers overpaid for the talent that Paul George brings to the table. While George had an MVP-caliber season in 2019, he does struggle to stay healthy and has not been able to escape the playoff narrative circling around his head.

The Clippers traded Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari, five first-round picks and two first-round pick swaps for two guaranteed years of Paul Geoge.

If the Clippers finally get over the title hump and win in the next two years I am sure it will all be worth it for Clippers fans. However, if the team doesn’t, and both Kawhi Leonard and Paul George walk away after two years, then this trade is going to set the Clippers’ franchise back for another decade.

However, it still makes this list at number five as this is the trade that led to Kawhi Leonard joining the Clippers, which is obviously huge for the Clippers. Without this deal, we would probably be watching Kawhi Leonard on the Lakers with Anthony Davis and LeBron James, which would have been truly historic.

Home/Anthony Davis