The Los Angeles Lakers have had yet another disappointing season. It seems that in the LeBron James era, only the 2020 season was considered a successful year, and that resulted in an NBA championship. Anthony Davis, especially, has had to endure an up-and-down season in terms of production, impact, and health. At his best, Davis is a dominant two-way player and arguably a top-5 star in the NBA. But he has not been at his best since 2020, and even this season, despite averaging 26.0 PPG, 12.3 RPG, and 2.0 BPG, his impact has not been there.
- LeBron And Kyrie, Luka And AD
- Phoenix Suns Create A Powerful Superteam
- The Los Angeles Lakers Trade Anthony Davis To The Chicago Bulls
- The Warriors Land Anthony Davis In A Blockbuster Trade
- A New Star In Madison Square Garden
- Next
- NBA Stars That Could Join The Los Angeles Lakers This Summer
- 2023 NBA Free Agents: 25 Best Available Players
- NBA All-Time Leaders For Every Major Stat Category
- Ranking The Best NBA Power Forwards By Tiers For The 2022-23 Season
- Kevin Durant Has Had The Greatest And Most Talented Teammates In NBA History
Firstly, Davis has been injured and unavailable for far too long, yet again. The big man has only appeared in 35 games and has not managed to play at least 60 games since the 2020 season. For some reason, the big man’s body is breaking down despite only being 29 years old. Lakers fans and the Lakers organization have been fed up with Davis’ lack of availability, but perhaps none more than LeBron James and his camp, according to Fox Sports analyst Collin Cowherd:
“LeBron and his camp have been frustrated by how many minutes he has to play,” Cowherd said on The Herd. “They can’t depend on Anthony Davis. They are also mad that Darvin Ham (Lakers coach) is not keeping the pressure on Anthony Davis … I talked to an NBA source who I’ve known for a long tie, he said the Dallas Mavericks and Anthony Davis, keep your eye on it.”
At the same time, this last stretch of games before and after the All-Star Break and into the playoffs will be very critical for Davis’ career as LeBron James’ sidekick in Los Angeles. NBA analyst Jason Timpf outlined how perhaps the Lakers should consider trading Davis for Kyrie Irving if the point guard does not end up signing a long-term extension with the Mavericks. Obviously, reports are coming out about Davis and his lack of availability, so perhaps the Lakers should consider pulling the trigger on a trade that will give LeBron James a new sidekick.
Here are the 5 trade packages the Lakers must consider if they find that Davis is not the answer in Los Angeles. A Kyrie Irving trade with the Dallas Mavericks does make sense, but are there any more packages out there? Let’s find out.
LeBron And Kyrie, Luka And AD
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Kyrie Irving (Sign and Trade), Josh Green, Dwight Powell (Sign and Trade), 2024 First-Round Pick, 2026 First Round-Pick
Dallas Mavericks Receive: Anthony Davis
The Lakers could be looking forward to happier times since they have arguably one of the best players in the league, even at 38 years old, in LeBron James. As great as Russell Westbrook was over his career, he was a disaster with the Lakers and was not the point guard James needed in the offense. In comes Kyrie Irving, one of the most skilled offensive players of all time. Kyrie and LeBron would ravage defenses with their size and skill, and the reunion of Irving and The King would be a media story to follow all year.
Of course, we have already seen proof of what James and Irving can do together. The duo proved to be devastating to the Golden State Warriors in 2016 as they defeated the sharpshooting team in 7 games. What Irving and James did together was legendary, clearly, as they are the first team ever to come back from a 3-1 deficit in the NBA Finals. In order for this deal to go through, Kyrie must inform the Mavericks of his intention to play in Los Angeles so that the Mavericks can proceed with a deal to pair Luka Doncic with Anthony Davis. As great as Luka and Davis will be together, Kyrie and James will be just as good in Los Angeles.
Phoenix Suns Create A Powerful Superteam
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Chris Paul, Deandre Ayton, Landry Shamet
Phoenix Suns Receive: Anthony Davis
With Chris Paul at the helm, the Lakers add one of the greatest floor generals in NBA history to relieve the pressure off of an aging LeBron James. LeBron is already the best playmaker in the league, but he can take a backseat more often with Paul handling the ball. CP3 has proven he can still compete at an All-Star level, and his performances will warrant him a spot on the Lakers as the playoffs near. Of course, LeBron and Paul are considered close friends as part of the “Banana Boat” crew.
Phoenix has impressed everyone after developing Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton while adding Chris Paul as the leader. Anthony Davis adds another franchise player they can build around with Booker and Durant on the team, forming a dynamic Big Three with two skilled perimeter players and an elite inside big man. If Phoenix fails to win the championship this year despite adding Kevin Durant, they could send Paul and Ayton to Los Angeles for Anthony Davis. Phoenix gets their inside-outside Big Three, and the Lakers give LeBron his close friend in Paul and an improving center in Ayton.
The Los Angeles Lakers Trade Anthony Davis To The Chicago Bulls
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Zach LaVine, Nikola Vucevic, Alex Caruso, 2026 First-Round Pick, 2028 First-Round Pick
Chicago Bulls Receive: Anthony Davis
The Lakers should have gone for Zach LaVine for a while now instead of praying for a miracle that Russell Westbrook fits with LeBron James on the court. LaVine is good enough to be a second offensive option on a championship team, and he can be just that behind LeBron James. Right now, Zach is doing well offensively by averaging 24.1 PPG, 4.9 RPG, and 4.1 APG for the 26-33 Chicago Bulls. LaVine has proven to be an excellent three-point shooter as he is nailing 37.1% from three this year, but he can create his own offense and make the Lakers far more formidable on offense.
Meanwhile, Nikola Vucevic is a capable starting center and fringe All-Star who is posting 17.8 PPG and 11.4 RPG this season. Alex Caruso was a key player for the 2020 championship Lakers, so he would be another major addition. Obviously, a starting lineup with Caruso, LaVine, LeBron, and Vucevic would be extremely solid on offense and defense. LeBron is 38 years old, so the time to win is now.
For Chicago, acquiring Anthony Davis means they have a dynamic inside-outside duo with DeRozan and Davis. The Bulls can start making a push in the East, and if they do fire Billy Donovan, they can add another head coach who can maximize the talents of two star players in their primes. Hopefully, Lonzo Ball can join them in Chicago as well. As good as this deal might turn out for the Bulls, the Lakers easily win the deal as they add three starters around LeBron James to challenge for the title next year.
The Warriors Land Anthony Davis In A Blockbuster Trade
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Draymond Green, Andrew Wiggins, Jonathan Kuminga
Golden State Warriors Receive: Anthony Davis
The Lakers can negotiate and go after one of the biggest deals in modern memory if they decide to trade 29-year-old Anthony Davis to a rival team in the Golden State Warriors. In doing so, the Lakers acquire 3 very valuable pieces to put around LeBron James. They have to take advantage of a Golden State Warriors team that probably needs to make changes because they hold a poor record in the Western Conference at 29-29. Stephen Curry and company have a ton to prove if they want to compete with the Suns, Bucks, 76ers, Clippers, and Celtics in the playoffs. Luckily for the Lakers, the answer to Golden State’s woes could be versatile superstar big man Anthony Davis.
Davis is an incredibly talented offensive player who brings size on defense, replacing Draymond Green and Andrew Wiggins on both ends of the court. Andrew Wiggins, one of the best two-way wings in the NBA, is also a valuable player for the Lakers. Los Angeles will dream of adding a two-way wing in Wiggins to finally provide scoring firepower and defense, a versatile forward in Kuminga who can develop, and a close friend of LeBron James in Draymond Green. Lakers fans rejoice with this deal as the starting lineup starts looking more complete. For this deal to go through, the Lakers must find ways to clear their salary cap to welcome in three solid two-way starters.
A New Star In Madison Square Garden
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Julius Randle, Immanuel Quickley, 2024 First-Round Pick, 2026 First-Round Pick
New York Knicks Receive: Anthony Davis
The New York Knicks have always needed a superstar since Carmelo Anthony left the franchise in a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Without disrespect to Julius Randle, New York need a generational talent that can score and dominate other areas of the floor. Randle is having a solid season by making his second All-Star Team by putting up 24.8 PPG, 10.8 RPG, 4.1 APG, and 0.7 SPG for a Knicks squad that is fighting for a guaranteed playoff spot. As currently constructed, New York will probably not make it out of the first round of the playoffs.
If the Knicks make a blockbuster move to save salary and acquire Anthony Davis, they are on the right track to start attracting free agents and building around other parts such as RJ Barrett and All-Star snub Jalen Brunson. With Davis at the core of the Knicks, New York will have a very intriguing roster that could make a bigger splash in the future. But the Lakers benefit most at his moment, thanks to the improved depth they will get in return.
The Lakers have not found any consistency whatsoever, and giving up Anthony Davis could give the Lakers an All-Star big man who is a year and a half younger than Davis and far healthier. Julius Randle could be the perfect partner for LeBron James and D’Angelo Russell, especially since the forward is back to his best and wants to prove he can succeed in Los Angeles. Randle was a former Laker, and he could be hungry to prove himself with the franchise. As a forward who scores inside and outside and can carry an offense, he can carry a load when LeBron James is resting. Not to mention, the Lakers add talented offensive guard Immanuel Quickley, who is posting 12.7 PPG and 4.0 RPG on 35.2% 3-PT FG. With a new star big man and a talented, energetic guard, Los Angeles greatly improves with this deal.
We sincerely appreciate and respect you as a reader of our site. It would help us a lot if you follow us on Google News because of the latest update.
Thanks for following us. We really appreciate your support.
