Lakers Zeroing In On Anthony Davis Says A NBA Source

Photo Credit – Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Lakers are currently fifth in the Western Conference with a 15 and 9 record, but when you are an organization that is synonymous with winning you are always looking to upgrade your roster. With that being said the Lakers have already been linked to John Wall, Bradley, Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant before the season started, and now Anthony Davis.

Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson recently released a report on Heavy.com stating that there are rumors, Anthony Davis could be traded to the Los Angeles Lakers by way of a three-way trade. The trade would involve the New Orleans Pelicans and Orlando Magic.

According to a source that is familiar with the Los Angeles Lakers, they could be interested in making a move through a trade for Davis as early as December 15.

Lakers per source: “To match salaries, KCP will be dealt. (KCP eligible to be traded after Dec15). If it’s a straight-up trade with the Pelicans, Lonzo will be in the deal, but the Lakers will be asking for Elfrid Payton or Ian Clark in return.“ pic.twitter.com/StQ0aihGgQ

— Brandon Robinson (@ScoopB) November 29, 2018

In the proposal trade, the New Orleans Pelicans would receive: Nikola Vucevic, Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, a 2019 first round draft pick (most likely more picks) & fillers.

The Magic would receive: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and a Laker big man.

Lakers would receive: Anthony Davis & a Pelicans guard (Elfrid Payton or Ian Clark).

Before the 2018 season, the Lakers made the financial decision to sign veteran players to one-year deals to give them salary cap flexibility this upcoming offseason. With free agents such as Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, Klay Thompson, Jimmy Butler, Kyrie Irving, Kemba Walker, DeMarcus Cousins, and DeAndre Jordan are all scheduled to be unrestricted free agents.

The Lakers are reportingly looking into team both Davis and Durant with LeBron James.

The Orlando Magic seem to be preparing for life without Nikola Vucevic, who can decide to leave this offseason.

Orlando Magic per source: “Vucevic wants to get paid.” – https://t.co/CqxVfOk8wF “This is his last chance at a big contract as he approaches unrestricted free agency” Orlando isn’t going to sign him to a new 4-5 year deal because that will interfere with Mo Bamba’s development.. pic.twitter.com/ro7K35UsnR

— Brandon Robinson (@ScoopB) December 4, 2018

“This is his last chance at a big contract as he approaches unrestricted free agency,” a league source told Robinson via text.

“Orlando isn’t going to sign him to a new 4-5 year deal because that will interfere with Mo Bamba’s development. Mo Bamba is their future at center, not Vucevic. Vucevic isn’t staying long term in Orlando. That’s why they possibly get in on this trade to get expiring contracts and possible draft picks. Expiring contracts, draft capital and opening minutes for Mo Bamba are why they could participate in this trade.”

Photo Credit -FOX Sports Philippines

Would Lonzo make the Magic better if he were to be traded to Orlando?

“When you trade a great player like Vucevic, you disguise that you’re tanking since you’re going to give big minutes to a rookie by getting rid of Vucevic,” says a league source.

“If that’s what Orlando plans on doing, they can try to tank for Zion Williamson. Or at least have a better chance at a high lottery pick. They can even use the draft picks they could acquire in the Lakers Pelican trade and package it with their own draft pick to move up in the draft. There’s nothing worse for a team like the Magic than trying to make the playoffs and getting eliminated early just to get lousy draft positioning outside of the lottery when Zion Williamson and others are in the upcoming class. So yeah, there’s plenty of reasons to trade Vucevic if they want in on this 3-way trade.”

Recently, former ESPN talent and NBA Insider Chris Sheridan was a guest on the “Scoop B” Radio Podcast and the pair discussed several topics. One of those topics included where Chris Sheridan thought Anthony Davis and Kevin Durant were going to end up. Sheridan state right now he Durant going to the Lakers, in the office season, but that could obviously change in the offseason. As for Davis, he had him going to the Lakers, but he noted that Boston has a lot of assets to make a compelling trade offer to the Pelicans.

The full article can be heard here.

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Tags: Bradley, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Sheridan, Deandre Jordan, DeMarcus Cousins, Heavy, Jimmy Butler, John Wall, Kawhi Leonard, Kemba Walker, Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, Kyrie Irving, LeBron James, Lonzo Ball, Nikola Vucevic, The Hype Magazine

About the Author

Landon Buford Washington State Graduate Past Interviews include Grammy Award Winner Kenny G, David Banner, WNBA President Lisa Borders, What's Trending's CEO Shira Lazar, Ice Cube, NBC's Chicago PD LaRoyce Hawkins, Family Matters Darius McCrary, En Vogues Maxine Jones, Team USA Track & Field Member Norris Frederick, James Kyson, WNBA Great Lauren Jackson, and more.