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

By Nick Halden

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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2. Anthony Davis isn’t dominating the game the way the Lakers expected

During the 2020 playoff run Anthony Davis shot 38-percent from three-point range and averaged 27.7 points per game. Davis had a memorable game-winner and put together a resume on the Lakers title run that left plenty of reason to believe he was the franchise player of the future.

Many NBA pundits discussed Davis as a potential top-five player one capable of winning without LeBron. Two seasons later and it is hard to recognize the player Davis is now in comparison to the dominance he showed during the 2020 playoffs.

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Whether it is injuries or the system or simply Davis being unable to live up to the expectations he created in New Orleans and in the Lakers playoff run there is no denying he isn’t the same player.

This past season Davis averaged 23.2-points per game and managed only 18-percent from three-point range. Those numbers aren’t going to get it done for a player who has shown he can dominate and win a game. Consistently when asked to find a way to win a game for the Lakers Davis couldn’t deliver with or without LeBron.

His inability to show up last season after regressing in 2021 left plenty of reason to think he isn’t the player the Lakers need to be paired with LeBron. When he manages to stay healthy he can’t spread the floor in a three-point league, a trait the Lakers badly need considering LeBron’s skillset.

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