Grade the trade: Lakers bring Anthony Davis trade full circle in three-team pitch

The Trade

Greg Swarz of Bleacher Report has proposed a trade that would see the Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans Pelicans, and Portland Trail Blazers all aspire to improve. The outcome would be an influx of proven talent on each roster, as well as a former lottery pick headed to New Orleans.

Most pertinent to the Lakers is the departure of Rui Hachimura, D'Angelo Russell, Christian Wood, and two second-round draft picks—and the arrival of Brandon Ingram.

The rights to the Los Angeles Clippers' 2025 second-round draft pick is currently owned by the Lakers.

New Orleans would be adding a borderline All-Star guard in Anfernee Simons to back up or even potentially replace one of CJ McCollum or Dejounte Murray. It would also be shoring up its interior depth with rim protector Robert Williams III and a proven scorer in Wood.

Portland would be building a bigger and more balanced perimeter by adding 6'8" forward Hachimura and 6'5" shooting guard Jordan Hawkins.

New Orleans would create space for either Herbert Jones or Trey Murphy III to start at small forward, while potentially avoiding having to start a rookie, Yves Missi, at center. Portland would add Hachimura in a role that would make trading Jerami Grant a more manageable endeavor.

As for Los Angeles, this is as simple as replacing two expiring contracts and a quality starter with an All-Star who has averaged 23.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 1.8 three-point field goals made per game since 2019-20.

As far as balanced trades are concerned, this checks the boxes from an incoming and outgoing talent perspective.