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Los Angeles Lakers: Grading each moving part of the Anthony Davis trade

By Sam Oshtry

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - NOVEMBER 27: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers passes the ball around Brandon Ingram #14 of the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center on November 27, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - NOVEMBER 27: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers passes the ball around Brandon Ingram #14 of the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center on November 27, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

Anthony Davis’ grade: A+

It is hard to properly grade any individual players’ performance in such a small sample size, considering the playoffs are still ahead, but in the 55 games Davis played, he has been everything the Lakers could have asked for, and then some.

In 34 minutes per game, Davis averaged 26.7 PPG, 9.4 RPG and 2.4 BPG at the suspension of the season. Not only was he dominant on the block and in the mid-post, but he also had success from the outside, shooting 34 percent from deep (tied for his career-high) on 3.5 attempts per game (a career-high).

Davis’ improved ability to step out and shoot the three-ball does not just help his own game but creates lanes for downhill drivers and slashers such as LeBron James, Alex Caruso and Kyle Kuzma. Head Coach Frank Vogel can also feel more comfortable pairing Davis with another big, either Dwight Howard or JaVale McGee, without clogging the paint and creating spacing issues.

While Davis’ offense has been exceptional, his defense has been on par. Davis has proven to be a top rim protector in the league, daring opposing players to attack the middle. He also has shown his ability to switch on to smaller perimeter players for long stretches.

According to a poll of ESPN NBA Insiders, Davis is projected to come in second place for Defensive Player of the Year, behind Giannis Antetokounmpo. Davis is the primary reason the Lakers are number three in the league in defensive rating at 105.5.

RELATED: Anthony Davis deserves Defensive Player of the Year

Having a player as dominant as Davis on both ends of the floor has helped superstar LeBron James tremendously. Not only does Davis take the pressure off of him on a nightly basis, but James’ reduced workload could possibly extend his career as he finishes his 17th year in the league.

This season, James is averaging the fewest minutes per game of his entire career. One season removed from missing the playoffs altogether, Davis has the Lakers sitting firmly on top of the western conference, all but securing the No. 1 seed when the season resumes.

Although not publicly stated by Davis, all indications point to the fact that he will re-sign this upcoming free agency. Whether that is a short term or long term deal remains to be seen and will in all likelihood depend on the potential salary cap hit the NBA could be facing with a massive loss in revenue due to the coronavirus pandemic.

A trade for Davis was a signifier that the Lakers were entering win-now mode, meaning the ultimate goal is to bring glory back to Los Angeles as the Larry O’Brien trophy is hoisted by a new generation of Lakers superstars.

While it remains to be seen if that prospect is in the future, with the majority of the regular season in the rearview, Anthony Davis has been a force for his new team, allowing Pelinka and the Lakers to feel pretty good about pulling the trigger one year later.

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