The Lakers and Pelicans paused trade discussions centered around Anthony Davis once the February 7 deadline arrived, but the sides could choose to circle back and open new discussions once the regular season comes to an end.
New Orleans fired general manager Dell Demps and is expected to ramp up its search for a new GM in the coming weeks, someone who will likely assist in moving Davis to a new team this upcoming offseason.
“We get off the phone with (the Lakers), and a minute later, offers are out there,” one Pelicans source told The Athletic’s Shams Charania around the trade deadline.
The Pelicans believed the Lakers were negotiating through the media, coupled with the fact that Davis’ agent Rich Paul — who also represents Lakers star LeBron James — delivered his client’s trade request just months after signing him to his agency. New Orleans’ management was clearly angered by these tactics, and it’s unclear if they’ll even consider moving Davis to Los Angeles this summer.
“I have been told that there’s no way Anthony Davis is coming here (to the Lakers), through the Pelicans,” ESPN’s Marc Spears said this week, as relayed by Dan Feldman of NBC Sports. “They’re just not going to do it.”
The Celtics would likely be considered front-runners to land Davis if they choose to pursue the NBA All-Star, owning a collection of young talent, future picks and promising assets to offer in a deal. Davis has averaged 26.5 points and 12.2 rebounds in 53 games this season.
There’s more today out of Los Angeles:
- JaMychal Green, Garrett Temple and Wilson Chandler are going through an adjustment process in their first full month with the Clippers, Mirjam Swanson of the Orange County Register writes. All three players were acquired by the team via trade in February, with each player holding multiple years of NBA experience.
- Andre Ingram is once again taking the stage in his new deal with the Lakers, Kyle Goon of the Orange County Register writes. Ingram has spent the past 11 seasons in the NBA G League, inking a 10-day contract with Los Angeles this week after briefly shining with the team last spring. “Last year was amazing, but this year, it means a little more,” Ingram said. “This is not just an Andre Ingram Day, it’s a Los Angeles Lakers game that you need to win, and this trip will be a good one to get some wins on. So that’s really the focus, genuinely to help the team win any way I can, whatever part I play in it.”
- The rim protection of Ivica Zubac has helped the Clippers drastically improve on defense, writes Jovan Buha of The Athletic. The Clippers acquired Zubac, an underrated two-way center, in a trade with the Lakers last month. “We have a rim-protector. Bottom line,” coach Doc Rivers said. “Trezz [Montrezl Harrell] does it at times. But Zu is a true rim-protector, and Zu has been great at it. So that’s why (we’ve improved).”
ingram knows his only job’s to carry lebron’s purse
LeBrons fault for not taking more interest into signing with the 76ers. Imagine how different this season would have played out
Zubac handles in BasRef: Zublocka, Zupac, Zu Alcindor :D
Risky to trade within the same city!
Lakers should have NEVER let Zubac go, thought they would have learnt from the Randle scenario.
And I can see AD going to the Clippers
Or Thomas Bryant. The Lakers are a mess right now. Jeanie gets too much respect from the people around her and the media that covers the team daily. Magic has been an absolute dumpster fire since taking iver for Mitch. One horrible move after another.
The Lakers gave Zubac away for free to open a roster space. Only for the team to fall out contention and have plenty of roster spots available
The players they have moved the last two years are, for the most part, all looking great. Several poor decisions were made.
That is why Pels will suck forever & ever, in business there is no place for anger or revenge, it is business, you don’t get to decide who you deal with, you deal with the best offer & that’s that.
I don’t understand what the Lakers motivation would be to leak their own offers
Fire Magic and sign Kobe for GM!!! Easy and intelligent move!!!
The Lakers have zero team cohesion. Chemistry is critical for championship hopefuls. LeBron James is such an alienating superstar that he’s putting everybody off.