3 Reasons the Lakers must trade Anthony Davis this off-season

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 06: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the NBA preseason game at Footprint Center on October 06, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Lakers 117-105. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 06: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the NBA preseason game at Footprint Center on October 06, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Lakers 117-105. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

1. Anthony Davis simply cannot stay healthy

Putting aside the obvious struggles Davis has had on the court for a superstar let’s focus on how often Davis is on the court. It is well established at this point in his career that Davis is injury prone and has only played in 76-games in the last two seasons combined.

A 37-year-old LeBron James managed to play 101-games despite dealing with serious injuries himself. There is no blueprint for LeBron and projecting what he will or won’t be next season is impossible. What history tells us, however, it is incredibly unlikely a 38-year-old LeBron is suddenly going to become less injury-prone.

He needs a superstar or at least a star next to him that can help him stay rested. Anthony Davis isn’t that guy, he has proven he cannot stay consistently healthy and that should be a huge factor when you’re building a team around an aging superstar.

Westbrook was supposed to be the answer to this problem. The player who could step in and find ways to win with a middling roster just as he did with the Thunder and the Wizards. Instead, he took a step back and became a part of the problem instead of the solution.

The Lakers need to find players to put around LeBron who can stay on the court and are capable of winning a game to keep their star rested and healthy leading up to the playoffs.