It is that time of the year where everyone tries to play fantasy general manager and cook up their best trade ideas to reshape the NBA. This deal involving Los Angeles Lakers superstar Anthony Davis would certainly fit that billing.
Davis is enjoying another All-NBA caliber type of season. The 31-year-old is averaging an impressive 25.9 points, 11.9 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.2 blocks, and 1.3 steals per game, while shooting 52.4 percent from the field and 30.4 percent from beyond the arc. Davis is the only player in the NBA putting up at least 25+ points and 2+ blocks per game.
Warriors go all in on a trade for the Lakers superstar
With the Lakers sitting comfortably in a playoff spot and Davis playing like a top ten player in the NBA, one might wonder why the organization would ever consider trading away the superstar. However, Bill Simmons offered up a trade proposal on his podcast that featured the Lakers reaping a haul that would allow them to build for the future, at the expense of moving on from the elite big man.
The package for Davis, according to Simmons, would also feature the Lakers receiving a 2025 first-round pick, 2027 first-round pick, and 2029 pick swap from the Warriors.
The reasoning for the Warriors doing this deal makes perfect sense. Stephen Curry is desperately in need of a second star to support him in Golden State. Davis could not only be the defensive anchor for an already strong unit on the Warriors, but he could help fix an underwhelming 19th-ranked offense. If there was a time to give up future assets, this would be it.
However, this trade makes little sense for the Lakers. Simmons seems disillusioned to the position that Los Angeles is in.
The Lakers will comfortably make a playoff appearance this season. There is no reason to believe this team will be selling before the NBA Trade Deadline on Feb. 6. The talk in Los Angeles has been how strong the Lakers will push towards a title, not how soon they will blow up a team that has shown some upside with regard to being a contender.
Jonatha Kuminga and Trayce Jackson-Davis would serve as solid pieces towards a rebuild. As would the draft capital offered by the Warriors in this hypothetical trade. Ultimately, it does not feel as though that aligns with what the goals are in Los Angeles.
It would also be stunning to see the Lakers even consider a trade for Davis, considering first-year head coach JJ Redick has been all about building around the Lakers big man since his arrival.
Warriors grade: A
The Warriors have every reason to do this trade and would benefit from it tremendously.
Lakers grade: C-
The Lakers have very little reason to have interest in a deal that ships away Davis for the foreseeable future.