The Los Angeles Lakers are not bringing back Anthony Davis after trading two first-round draft picks and two swaps to get Walker Kessler. AD is entering the final guaranteed year of his contract, and the Wizards are holding off on an extension. The future Hall of Famer could be available next summer, but the Lakers just locked in their long-term center.
Davis wants to play the four, but the purple and gold avoided putting him in that role for years. His lack of shooting makes it difficult to figure out the offensive spacing. The Lakers want shooting and defense around Luka Doncic and his starting center. Kessler is an elite rim protector and lob threat who will make significantly less money than AD.
The ten-time All-Star was sent packing in the Luka trade. Los Angeles couldn’t pass up a shot to get one of the five best players in the world. Fans have been hoping Davis may return to the Lakers, especially as his situations have been unsettled since the trade. That is not happening with Kessler in LA.
Walker Kessler eliminates Anthony Davis reunion for the Lakers
The Wizards' decision not to extend AD came as a bit of a surprise. Washington traded for the ten-time All-Star at the deadline and acquired Deandre Ayton to put Davis in his preferred position. They have just pushed back extension talks (subscription required), but AD can become an unrestricted free agent next summer. He has the power.
The injury history is a problem, but Davis is still elite when he plays. Some team will gamble on his talent and upside. The 33-year-old wants another massive payday. It will be a risk for whatever team lands him.
The Lakers don’t need to take that gamble. Luka and Austin Reaves are in their primes. Los Angeles just acquired a center that fits perfectly. Fans know Doncic will maximize Kessler. There is just no reason to bet on AD’s health after he’s played 56 or fewer games in five of the last six years.
Kessler is the Lakers' center. He inked a four-year, $129.4 million contract after LA gave up the draft capital to acquire him. The 25-year-old is eight years younger than AD and is still improving. The Lakers bet on ascending players this summer and are not throwing out their entire Kessler plan for Davis.
Anthony Davis drama may just be getting started
AD is no stranger to drama. He forced his way off the Pelicans to join the Lakers. Davis played a key role in the 2020 championship and is a legend. He was part of the shocking Luka trade, and few expected the Wizards to trade for him. The last two teams that acquired him got the number one pick just months after landing AD.
Davis has a shot to prove himself in the first 20 games. If he plays well, the superstar will be expecting an extension. Things may get messy if an offer to his liking isn’t on the table. AD is represented by Rich Paul. The agent is no stranger to getting his client traded to a situation that extends his contract.
Credit to Davis. He is already proving to be a leader on a young Wizards squad. He appears bought in to getting Washington back in the playoffs, but that could quickly change if his contract situation isn’t sorted out.
Lakers aren’t uprooting their build to bring back Anthony Davis
The Lakers instantly made Luka their superstar and face of the franchise the moment they acquired him. LA wasn’t doing that for AD. There were rumors the Lakers wanted to trade Davis before the Doncic deal came to life. Only those in the room know if that is true, but it is clear that the purple and gold didn’t view Davis as their superstar of the post-LeBron era.
They are not suddenly giving up multiple players to get Davis back. AD is making $58.4 million this season and has a $62.7 million player option for the 2027-28 season. He will be looking for a massive payday. The Lakers could only fit him on their cap sheet if they dump Doncic, Reaves, or Kessler. That just isn’t happening.
The Lakers are committed to their current build. They got Luka, the center he desired, and believe this can be the foundation of a title-contending roster. There is no reason to bring in a 33-year-old AD. Los Angeles focused on getting younger this offseason. They just aren't ruining that for a Davis reunion.
The Los Angeles Lakers’ Walker Kessler trade closed the door on an Anthony Davis reunion. AD could be available at the trade deadline or next summer. His future in the nation’s capital is uncertain, but the Lakers won’t be the team acquiring him. They are happy building around Luka Doncic and have no reason to add Davis’ age and injury risk to their core. Sadly, fans' dreams of a reunion should be dead.
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