It has been one year since the Los Angeles Lakers traded for Anthony Davis.
In January of 2019, Anthony Davis decided he had enough of his time in New Orleans, informing the Pelicans brass he would not sign an extension and requested a trade.
Given Anthony Davis’ change in representation to Rich Paul of Klutch Sports just prior to the season, it was natural for LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers to become a rumored destination where Davis preferred to play, especially given the plethora of young assets the Lakers had to offer.
What followed the trade demand was tumultuous, public trade talks between the Lakers and Pelicans management right up until the February trade deadline.
While other teams were certainly in play for Davis, such as the Celtics, it always felt like if he were to be traded, it would be to the Lakers. It was just a matter of getting the right people in place to get the deal done.
Soon after the trade deadline passed and no deal was completed, Pelicans General Manager Dell Demps was fired. In April, before the last game of the regular season, Lakers President of Basketball Operations Magic Johnson abruptly resigned, thus giving outright control of basketball decision to General Manager Rob Pelinka, who had reportedly been butting heads with Johnson.
The Pelicans hired David Griffin, a widely respected GM, to take control of the organization as the Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations. In the ensuing months, Pelinka and Griffin engaged in more civil and less public trade talks which resulted in Anthony Davis donning the purple and gold.
Although only a year (and not even a full season) removed, it is clear that this may have been the rare win-win trade for both franchises. We will be grading each moving part of the trade one year later and analyze how they’re fitting into their new respective roles.