The first blockbuster NBA offseason news is out: It's official, Anthony Davis is departing from the New Orleans Pelicans and will be suiting up for the Los Angeles Lakers in time for Season 2019-20. And overnight, the Lakers morphed into a super team in the making with the possibility that Kyrie Irving of the Boston Celtics will be added to the lineup.
The trade that saw Davis becoming a Laker was described by SB Nation as Los Angeles swapping its future for a solid shot to an NBA title in the immediate term. That's because, in exchange for AD, the Pelicans will be getting the young talents from the Laker roster, headlined by Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, and Josh Hart. In addition, the Lakers gave away draft pick privileges that stretch from the current year to 2025, which underscores the high value that the team has placed on Davis.
The Lakers are hoping big that the move will pay off, and the chance is high it could. In the pursuit of winning a championship after an extended drought, the lead man for L.A., of course, is LeBron James. Davis and King James collaborating seem a far better scenario for the Lakers, which in the just concluded season had to endure the humiliation of being cut from the playoffs despite having a LeBron James.
The Lakers front office has to make sure that the investment on both James and Davis will deliver a quick return. So the team must get an All-Star name, and top on the list is Kyrie Irving that according to Bleacher Report is fast-becoming a solid candidate to wear the Purple jersey.
The point guard is said to be wishing a spot on an NBA team where he could share playing time with Davis so it makes sense that L.A. now is a top priority once he exits from Boston. The same report likewise suggested that "a LeBron James-Kyrie Irving reunion is ... likelier than ever."
Even James is open to the idea as he hinted several times on social media that Irving and him playing again on a team is not unlikely, the report added. This supports the earlier reports that the two former Cavaliers have decided to forget about the past and look forward to more NBA championships to come with the Lakers.
Having Davis and possibly Irving as teammates certainly promises a win for King James, SB Nation said, adding that with AD around, "he has a new lease on life, along with possibly the best running mate he's ever had in his career."
It's not hard to see as well that the Lakers will come out the big winner on the Anthony Davis deal with the Pelicans. The Hollywood club is now a hot target for free agents and if they can make space for more superstars, landing the likes of Irving, Kawhi Leonard and Kemba Walker seems not far-fetched at all.
