Disgruntled Pelicans star Anthony Davis gets his wish and is traded to the Los Angeles Lakers for young guns Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram, along with the 4th pick in this year’s draft and a bevy of future 1st round selections.
Locked On Pelicans Publisher Jake Madison says it’s not the deal many fans wanted, but it’s likely the best they could get.
“They found themselves in a position where they did not have the leverage, and potentially could have gotten less, but David Griffin did a very good job of getting every available ounce of value out of Anthony Davis.”
Madison says the Pelican’s leverage collapsed when the Boston Celtics refused to include their best young player in the negotiation.
The young Lakers haven’t had impressive starts to their careers, but Madison says they’re very young, and oozing with potential, starting with shooting guard Lonzo Ball…
“Defensively he’s been sound, offensively he’s been great passing the ball, but until he finds that jump shot, that 3-point shot, it could just kind of lead to us wanting more. Same for Brandon Ingram, this is a guy who is a very good scorer, but he has not developed that outside shot, he hasn’t developed the defense that you want to see.”
The Pelicans will also receive young shooting guard Josh Hart in the deal.
But rumor have erupted that some, and possible all of the new acquisitions could be traded off to another team for an All-Star caliber player before the season’s start…
“This is something that could play out deep into free agency where maybe some teams strike out and miss and they realize they need to reboot things. That’s when maybe they are intrigued by the young guys in Lonzo Ball, in Brandon Ingram.
The Pelicans reportedly will receive the Lakers top 8 protected 1st in 2021, a pick swap in ’23, an unprotected first round pick in ’24, and a pick swap in 2025.
