In most fanbases when a player has not performed up to the standards to which they were expected, the typical reaction from fans is to want that player traded. This is the case for Los Angeles Lakers’ Anthony Davis.
These past two seasons, Davis has been a shell of himself. He has not played a full season because of injuries and he recently revealed on a video posted to YouTube by Nuke Squad, that the last time he picked up a ball was April 5. Although he has been in the gym since the release of that video, the damage has already been done, some Lakers fans want him gone.
As a result of his performance these past two seasons, proposed trade ideas involving Davis have started circulating the web. But one trade that is farfetched and unlikely to happen, is Davis going to the Charlotte Hornets.
Why sending Lakers’ Anthony Davis to the Hornets won’t happen
NBA Analysis released a potential trade sending Davis to Charlotte in exchange for Gordon Hayward, P.J. Washington, James Bouknight, and two first-round picks.
They believe adding depth along with youth is what the Lakers need, which is not wrong. The Lakers were made fun of before the start of the 2021-22 season for signing a bunch of players in their mid to late 30s. Their roster included six of the oldest players in the league.
Acquiring Hayward, Washington, and Bouknight does add more youth to the roster but that is where the benefits stop. Hayward for Davis is just swopping one injury-prone player for the other.
Hayward has suffered multiple injuries throughout his career, ones that have kept him out of playoff games. His most recent injury resulted in him missing the Play-in game against the Atlanta Hawks.
If the Lakers want to make it to the NBA Finals next season then adding Hayward is not a good idea. His season average of 15 points and 4.6 rebounds per game does look good on paper but if he is not playing because of an injury then those stats don’t mean anything.
Washington to the Lakers seems more fitting he provides versatility by being able to play both the four and five positions, he can knock down outside shots, and he can defend.
2 elite defensive guards the Lakers can sign for the minimum
The Los Angeles Lakers need defensive help this upcoming season and there are two really enticing free-agent guards that the team should be considering.
But he only averaged 10.3 points and 5.2 rebounds per game which is a huge dip from the 23.2 points and 9.9 rebounds Davis produced when he did play. Both Hayward and Washington would make up for the loss in points but the question would still depend on whether or not Hayward would remain healthy for a full season.
The Lakers likely won’t risk trading Davis for these players because it wouldn’t make sense and although Davis has not played in most of the games these past two seasons, he can still be valuable to the Lakers next season if he remains healthy.