If you think the Los Angeles Lakers are hanging up their hopes to acquire Anthony Davis, you're dead wrong. The Lakers are still in pursuit and if rumors are right, the front office is still considering offering several of their key players in exchange for the Pelican.
Apparently, the Lakers are still looking for that next best name to play alongside LeBron James. While LBJ is surrounded by role players like Lance Stephenson, JaVale McGee, Rajon Rondo, the team still lacks that firepower that they have been looking ever since. They feel that Davis will complete the puzzle, but as we've seen in the past, having "Unibrow" wear the iconic Purple and Gold won't be that easy.
Sources close to the matter say that the Lakers will once again take their chances to make Davis as their second go-to guy this summer. According to Bleacher Report's Dan Favale, the Lakers' "top offer" remains the same. This will include Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma, and two future first-round picks.
The offer looks good on paper, but the writer thinks that "it actually looks worse." Ingram and Ball went down with separate injuries this season and it eventually melted their hopes to have a better win-loss record despite missing the Playoffs.
Another source points to David Griffin, New Orleans Pelicans President of Basketball Operations, and his "connection" with LeBron as a primary factor for them to land Davis. It said that this relationship will have the Lakers "a better chance" at Davis, but they will still have to consider the help from "other forces."
One of those "other forces" the source was implying will involve the team that will pick Zion Williamson as their number 1 pick in the Draft Lottery. It said that whoever picks Williamson should have no intention to trade the Duke Blue Devil to the Pelicans for Davis.
Another is the Boston Celtics, who will most likely be the biggest threat in the Lakers' tirade for Davis. Arguably, the Celtics can offer "the best trade package," and this will include Jayson Tatum. In order for the Lakers to have a better shot, Boston should "lowball" the Pelicans in the coming offseason.
There is one hump that could derail this, though. Celtics President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Danny Ainge, the source added, could "change his mind" in their offer if the All-Star guard Kyrie Irving opts to be traded.
But then again, the Lakers can also use a third team to join the fray. Bleacher Report mentioned the Indiana Pacers and the Phoenix Suns as the third accomplice, but they're not closing any doors on this issue. Whatever the Lakers move will be to get Davis, they need to be "flexible" because Davis is "too precious" a player for them to relax.
