The Los Angeles Lakers trading for Anthony Davis was meant to be a groundbreaking move for the franchise. Not only was the trade one of the most expensive in NBA history, but it seemingly gave the Lakers a franchise player for the next decade-plus.
The ultimate plan was in motion. LeBron James could be the franchise player for the next 3-4 years, eventually paving the way for AD to take over as the face of the franchise. In theory, AD could be part of two different title windows: one with LeBron, and one after LeBron.
While the team won a championship with LeBron and AD, those long-term prospectives no longer seem as intriguing. Davis has not been able to stay healthy since winning a championship and injury-prone big men don’t typically get less injury prone in their 30s.
Not only are the Lakers concerned about AD’s injuries, but the team seemingly isn’t as high on AD as a player. ESPN’s Dave McMenamin’s latest report detailing how the franchise feels internally about Davis is not promising for his future in the purple and gold.
"“Apart from missing more games that he played in for the Lakers the last two seasons, there was a sentiment within the team’s front office last season that Davis didn’t look like the franchise player they thought they had coming off the 2020 championship, sources said.”"
The Los Angeles Lakers might be lacking confidence in Anthony Davis.
This is concerning for Anthony Davis and his future with the franchise. It is one thing for the team to be worried about his ability to stay healthy and that would be absolutely justified. Davis’ injury history does not necessarily create confidence in anyone.
But for the team to not be impressed with his play? That bodes terribly for his future with the Lakers. Davis admittedly has not looked the same since the Lakers won the NBA Championship two years ago and it appears as if the organization is not making any excuses for him.
What is concerning about this is that the Lakers don’t really have any other options in the future, especially if the team trades its 2027 and 2029 first-round pick to get rid of Russell Westbrook. The future assets will be depleted and the team has done a terrible job of building up a foundation.
LA doesn’t have any other option but to commit to Anthony Davis long-term and hope it works out. Because if not, what else is the team going to do? Purposefully plunge back into mediocrity and become the opposite of a destination for star players?
Lakers trade mistake somehow just got even worse
The Los Angeles Lakers made a pretty avoidable trade mistake earlier this offseason that somehow got even worse with recent roster cuts.
It is troubling that the team is going to have to commit to someone that it might not believe in but that is the bed that the Lakers have made. Now they have to lay in it.