The New Orleans Pelicans traded disgruntled All-Star Anthony Davis to the Los Angeles Lakers for three first-round draft picks, including the #4 overall pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, plus Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, and Brandon Ingram.
The trade will become official on July 1. Both teams wanted to square away a trade before the 2019 NBA Draft, which takes place next week.
The Pelicans won the #1 pick in the lottery which has also been called “The Zion Williamson Sweepstakes”. They also now have the #4 pick in the draft, which they could use or trade to the highest bidder. The Atlanta Hawks were interested in moving up in the draft to acquire Texas Tech’s Jarrett Culver.
LAKERS/PELICANS TRADE:
Lakers Get: Anthony Davis
Pelicans Get: 3 First Round Picks, Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, Brandon Ingram
Last week, Davis narrowed down his choice of teams to the LA Lakers and the NY Knicks. The Lakers offered the Pelicans the sweetest deal.
Anthony Davis demanded a trade in the middle of the season a week before the trade deadline. Several teams scrambled to make offers including the NY Knicks and LA Lakers. The Lakers were unable to get a deal done before the deadline. Intimate details of the potential trade that Magic Johnson offered the Pelicans were leaked to the media. The players revolted when they found out theywere on the trading block. The Lakers essentially gave up on LeBron James the rest of the season.
Kyle Kuzma, MVP of the Rising Stars Challenge during All-Star Weekend, is the Lakers’ lone survivor in the drama. Apparently, he’s the one player LeBron felt fit the most going forward.
Celtics Big Losers
The Boston Celtics coveted Anthony Davis for years and assumed they had the inside track on a trade in this offseason.
The Celtics were unable to offer up a sufficient enough package deal that included Jayson Tatum and draft picks. Then again, Celtics GM Danny Ainge did not want to leverage the farm to acquire AD for one year before he bolted in free agency at the end of next season.
The Celtics did not make a pitch to the Pelicans during the season when AD’s agent floated the trade request. Ainge and the Celtics had to wait until the end of the season to officially discuss a trade while Kyrie Irving was still under contract.
The Celtics have no shot at re-signing Irving. Both the NY Knicks and Brooklyn Nets want Irving in NYC next season. Now, the Celtics will be without either Irving or AD. The good news is that they still have a bunch of draft picks and a fat contract to offer anyone who wants to come play in Beantown.
Lakers Favorites in 2020
Last week, oddsmakers in Las Vegas listed the Lakers as the favorite to win the 2020 NBA title. The bookies were anticipating a big push from the Lakers to acquire Davis. According to several sportsbooks in Las Vegas, the Lakers are +350 to win the NBA title in 2020.
The Golden State Warriors failed to three-peat this year and the Toronto Raptors snatched the championship away. The hobbled Warriors had no chance with an injured Kevin Durant and losing Klay Thompson to a torn ACL. Are the Warriors dunzo? Is the dynasty over? Who knows for sure. All signs indicate Durant will be headed to NYC to play for the Knicks, while Thompson most likely remains with Golden State to finish out his career with the Warriors.
For now, the LA Lakers and their new head coach Frank Vogel are the team to beat. Say hello to the NBA’s new dynamic duo: LeBron James and Anthony Davis.