The Los Angeles Lakers continue their pursuit of Anthony Davis. According to reports, the Lakers have offered Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball and the fourth pick in the 2019 NBA Draft in exchange for Davis.
During the regular season, the Lakers tried to acquire Davis after he requested a trade in January. When the Pelicans and Lakers failed to reach an agreement, the talks ended, and Davis remained with the Pelicans. As the offseason approaches, the talks have resumed.
The Lakers offered two pieces of their young core in Ball and Ingram. But, the Lakers are looking to hold on to at least one of their young players. Marc Stein of the New York Times also tweeted that up to this point, the Lakers have tried to keep Kyle Kuzma out of the talks.
The Lakers are not the only team trying to acquire Davis. The Boston Celtics have also engaged in separate talks as well. Rich Paul, the agent of Davis, has told the Celtics that his client would be a one-year rental and he will enter the free agency period in 2020. The Celtics also cannot trade for Davis until July 1 due to the Designated Rookie Extension Rule.
The Designated Rookie Extension Rule is a rule where a team can sign a player entering the fourth year of his rookie scale contract to a longer extension than usual. The Celtics traded for a player under this rule (Kyrie Irving) and cannot have two players under it. So, the Celtics cannot acquire Davis until Irving (officially) becomes a free agent on June 30.
Other teams in the mix for Davis include the Los Angeles Clippers and the Brooklyn Nets, but neither team has gained traction in their talks with New Orleans. So, discussions for Davis will likely be between the Pelicans and Lakers.
Anthony Davis could be a Laker before Thursday (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the Lakers and Pelicans are searching for a third team that would use the Lakers’ fourth pick in exchange for sending a high-level player to the Pelicans in the deal. While the teams have not found a third team for the deal, the search will likely continue.
At this point, the Lakers are Davis’ preferred destination. The Pelicans hope to trade Davis before the 2019 draft, which takes place next Thursday. The Lakers have an offer in order, and if they find a third team, the deal could happen.
Featured image courtesy of Marcio Jose Sanchez / Associated Press
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