Lakers Reportedly Saving Draft Picks, Young Players for Anthony Davis Trade
The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly hesitant to trade young players or draft picks for minor roster upgrades this season because they want as many assets as possible for their pursuit of New Orleans Pelicans superstar forward Anthony Davis.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski (via Real GM) provided an update on the Lakers' mindset Saturday.
"Here's the line they have to walk: They're not going to give away picks and their top young players in some deal that makes them incrementally better this season because they have to save all those assets for Anthony Davis, a big trade this summer either pre or post free agency," Woj said.
Los Angeles featured plenty of budding pieces, led by the likes of Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, Brandon Ingram and Josh Hart, but they are going to need more high-end star power alongside LeBron James to seriously compete for an NBA championship.
Davis would be a major step in the right direction, but he's under contract with the Pelicans through the 2019-20 season. So the Lakers will either need to showcase extreme patience with hope he signs in L.A. in 2020 or attempt to make a deal with New Orleans.
"The absolute dream scenario, people talk about (how) they can trade for Anthony Davis or sign a free agent," Woj added, per Real GM. "The dream scenario is they do both."
The Lakers own a 17-11 record, just two games behind the Warriors and Denver Nuggets for the best mark in the highly competitive Western Conference.
While that would typically signal a team that might go all-in on the current campaign, it sounds like the Lakers are only prepared to give up their main future assets if Davis is heading their way.
In November, Chris Sheridan of Get More Sports reported the Lakers were one of five teams the MVP candidate is considering for his long-term future along with the Pelicans, Boston Celtics, New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers.
Now Los Angeles must find a way to get him from New Orleans, even if it means dealing a few of those aforementioned young players, to open its championship window. There are no signs a trade is imminent as Davis continues to shine in NOLA, though.
