Another Anthony Davis trade rumor is making rounds on the internet as both the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics are reportedly engaged in negotiations with the New Orleans Pelicans.
According to The New York Times' Marc Stein, the Lakers have made Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball and the fourth overall pick in the June 20 NBA Draft available in talks with New Orleans. Stein also notes that the Lakers appear keen on keeping Kyle Kuzma out of any trade discussions.
Depending on what a third team can bring to the table, Stein believes the deal can get done in advance of the draft next Thursday. It remains to be seen which team will jump in as the third wheel, but rumors suggest that the Washington Wizards or Atlanta Hawks could be involved.
Obviously, Lakers fans would hate to see both Ingram and Ball go, but in trading both of them, Los Angeles would theoretically get to keep some combination of Kyle Kuzma, Josh Hart, Moritz Wagner and Isaac Bonga and still have room to sign an All-Star free agent like Kyrie Irving, Kemba Walker, Kawhi Leonard or Jimmy Butler. They are evidently doing their best to keep Kuzma, at least.
It's likely Ball and Ingram will end up being the best of the players the Lakers have drafted over the past few years, but Hart and Kuzma are on cost-controlled contracts for the next two seasons and showed they can play alongside LeBron James this past season. That has value.
The Celtics remain unable to trade for Davis until after July 1 because of the Designated Rookie Extension Rule. Boston can't add Davis until Kyrie Irving becomes a free agent at 6 p.m. ET on June 30. The Lakers also are unable to officially complete a deal until their cap space opens up when the free agent moratorium ends on July 6.
David Griffin, the Pelicans' new executive vice president of basketball operations, met with Davis in Los Angeles at the end of May. While the talks were reportedly "respectful" and "productive," it was still considered "highly unlikely" that Davis would waver from his stance in seeking a trade.
Since then, Griffin has reportedly become open to multi-team trades for Davis as he has provided potential suitors with the framework of a trade package he'd want for the All-Star.
