After months of waiting for a trade, Anthony Davis learned about the deal that sent him to the Lakers on Instagram, writes Chris Bumbaca of USA Today. Speaking today at his introductory press conference, Davis explained that he was watching a movie when the news broke and he missed two calls from his agent, Rich Paul. After a return call was unsuccessful, Davis tried social media, where he found out he was headed to L.A.
The deal was no surprise for Davis, who submitted a trade request to the Pelicans in January. The Lakers were one of his preferred destinations, offering the chance to team up with fellow Klutch Sports client LeBron James. Even so, Davis is happy that the process is finally over.
“That’s the biggest thing for me,” he said. “The relief of not knowing the unknown anymore and not knowing where I was going to be next season.”
GM Rob Pelinka, who closed the deal by offering New Orleans Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart and a package of draft picks, called Davis’ introduction “a history-shifting day for the Los Angeles Lakers” and said organization is hoping for “a decade of dominance” from its new big man. Right now, L.A. is guaranteed just one year out of Davis, who is expected to opt out of his current contract next summer.
There’s more from today’s press conference:
- Davis doesn’t regret waiving his $4MM trade kicker, even though the move was designed to help land Kawhi Leonard, who wound up choosing the Clippers. “Any time you’re able to able to acquire a player like Kawhi, you have to do almost everything to get a guy like that,” he said. “Obviously, it didn’t work out for us, but I still wanted to do everything I could to help the team. That $4MM was to add more money to a player’s contract or get another guy, and by all means I was willing to do that.”
- Pelinka frequently sought input from Davis and James as the front office filled out the roster with free agent signings. Once Leonard was off the market, the Lakers focused on making the most of their cap space to build as much depth as possible. “I like our roster,” Davis said. “I like every player that we have, from one through 14. I’m excited about it. I would put our roster against anybody. I think that in a seven-game series we would come out victorious.”
- Davis turned aside a question about his long-term future in L.A., saying he’s “focused on this season,” tweets Ben Golliver of The Washington Post. “When that time comes around next year, you can ask me that question and we can revisit it,” Davis responded. “Right now my focus is on this year and figuring out how I can help this team and help this organization become a championship team.”
- Davis isn’t bothered by negative reaction he got from fans and the media after requesting a trade, relays Harrison Faigen of Silver Screen and Roll (Twitter link). “As long as I can sleep at night and live with the decisions that I made, then I’m happy and I don’t really care what anyone else thinks,” he explained. “I have a great team around me who I can talk to about things that’s going on, and they give me great advice and at the end of the day I’ll live with the decisions I make.”
Huge sacrifice you one eyebrowed wiener.
Lol
Wutt
Already avoiding questions on extending? Wow
I mean I don’t blame him. Hasn’t played a game in uniform yet. Also as a Celtics fan I can now recognize I’d rather have that than what Kyrie did… even if AD thinks there’s a 99.9% chance he resigns I don’t want him saying that after what just happened in Boston.
What do you expect from him? He’s obviously not going to come out now and publicly commit to extending or confirm he won’t. Even he probably isn’t sure of the answer, he hasn’t even a played a game for them yet. It’s to be expected but it’s still a pretty dumb question to ask him this soon.
Ad was said to comment, ” So where in the HELL are these lakes?”
Kinda hate this joke
Basically here is the way I see this if the Lakers do anywhere near what people think they’re going to do meaning they at least get through a round or two of the playoffs he resigns if they have a catastrophic collapse and don’t make the playoffs he’s gone. As a Lakers fan holding off on buying the Davis Jersey until next summer.
Class act. Love AD. Best player in the league right now, not even close!
Who is this AD you are talking about not the one that quit on his team and demanded a trade because that is not a class act.
A.D. will get $4M for an appearance in some LBJ movie.
Really hope you are not implying that Anthony quit on the pelicans because that would be the most ignorant response ever. Leonard on the other hand did quit on San Antonio he was cleared to return but refused to while Anthony did request a trade but still wanted to play and did play and did everything in his power for New Orleans to win games that is the difference between Leonard and Davis Leonard did not give a crap about San Antonio just what he wanted which goes to character which as a Lakers fan happy they did not get him because this team is now far better with all the pieces they signed then had they just been able to get Leonard.
Kawhi quit on the Spurs because he questioned their medical staff.
Davis quit on the Pelicans because he had dinner with LeBron.
Well put goldenmisfit. Only trolls would ever think AD quit on his team, as far as I am concerned the Pels quit on AD! H e is a great guy & will bring a new era of winning to the Lakers.