Grade the trade: Lakers bring Anthony Davis trade full circle in three-team pitch
As far as blockbuster trades are concerned, an argument could be made that no move has been more significant over the past five years than the Los Angeles Lakers acquiring Anthony Davis. In the immediate aftermath of trading for Davis, Los Angeles ended a seven-year postseason drought and won their first championship in 10 years.
For as clearly as the ends justified the means, many fans continue to wonder what could've been had the Lakers adjusted their approach to acquiring Davis in 2019.
The trade for Davis was one of the most costly in recent memory. Los Angeles effectively parted with the entirety of its young core, sending former first-round draft picks Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, and Brandon Ingram, as well as three future first-round selections, to the New Orleans Pelicans.
The dust has finally settled on the Davis trade, but that hasn't stopped those around the NBA from asking what would happen if the two sides were to revisit it one last time.
Recent rumors and speculation surrounding Ingram have made that outcome a possibility. Formerly selected at No. 2 overall by the Lakers in the 2016 NBA Draft, he's gone from the potential franchise player in Los Angeles to an All-Star with the Pelicans.
With Ingram and the Pelicans facing the harsh reality that they might need to part ways in the near future, however, the wheels are turning on a reunion in Los Angeles.
The Rumor
Ingram is entering the final season of his current contract with the Pelicans. As such, trade speculation was inevitable. What few expected to follow, however, was a report that would make his potential departure far more likely.
Shams Charania of The Athletic reported in July that the trade market for Ingram had dried up after two teams that had interest, the Sacramento Kings and San Antonio Spurs, spent their money elsewhere. That would've been intriguing enough on its own.
What made the possibility of Ingram returning to Los Angeles even more realistic was the other piece of information in Charania's report: New Orleans is only considering a trade because they're unwilling to meet his asking price for an extension.
"Both sides have remained open to a future together, but Ingram’s desire for a high-priced extension has meant the Pelicans must at least maintain dialogue with him and his representatives on whether he stays in New Orleans or moves elsewhere."
In other words: New Orleans is staring down the legitimate possibility that Ingram could leave in free agency, and may be willing to trade him to prevent losing him for nothing.
Enter the Lakers.