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Lakers trading Anthony Davis, even to Bulls, will now never happen

By Jerry Trotta

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 21: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers talks with Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers before the game against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on November 21, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 21: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers talks with Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers before the game against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on November 21, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Nic Antaya/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers fans are waiting patiently for the franchise to shake up the roster before the 2022-23 regular season. It was widely expected that LeBron James’ mammoth two-year extension would signify a Russell Westbrook trade, but the front office is clearly having trouble finding a buyer for the veteran guard.

While LeBron is partially to blame for Westbrook arriving in LA to begin with, he understands the Lakers have no chance winning a title if Westbrook is the starting point guard and he wouldn’t commit to the franchise if he wasn’t assured that the former MVP would get moved at some point in the near future.

But what if the Lakers traded Anthony Davis? Would James remain steadfast in his commitment to the Lakers? That’s tough to say, but the idea was recently floated by a Western Conference executive who dubbed the Bulls as a potential trade partner for Davis during an interview with Sean Deveney of Heavy.com.

The idea of the Lakers blowing up the roster by trading Davis and building a contender around LeBron is intriguing, but it’s not going to happen.

Why the Lakers aren’t trading Anthony Davis, even to the Bulls.

Perhaps the Lakers would have entertained a Davis trade before James signed his $97 million extension.

While his production is undeniable and he announced himself as a top-five player during the Lakers’ championship run in 2019-20, Davis has serious durability concerns. That isn’t news. He’s played 76 games the last two seasons and every time he hits the floor fans hope and pray he’s able to get up.

But let’s be realistic. Davis isn’t going anywhere after LeBron signed his extension. Both players can opt out of their contracts after the 2023-23 campaign. Davis burned countless bridges on his way out of New Orleans to team up with James and compete for titles and they cut down the nets in their first year together.

The roster construction around James and Davis has been questionable since that championship, but injuries to the two superstars are the chief reasons the Lakers haven’t been able to get back to the mountain top.

Furthermore, why would Los Angeles trade Davis now when his value is at its lowest in several seasons? As we noted earlier, he’s played 76 games in two years and has left LeBron to carry the team’s middling roster. It’s tough to envision LA netting a package that would be indicative of a top-five player.

Don’t get fooled by the so-called rumors. That executive was just painting a hypothetical scenario involving Davis. He isn’t getting traded. LeBron’s extension confirmed that.

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