The Los Angeles Lakers‘ hopes for contention with their current core are dwindling, as they’re coming off their two worst losses of the season against the Minnesota Timberwolves and Miami Heat. It’s evident the team needs a major roster restructuring to be competitive, but is it worth giving up multiple future assets to improve the team’s ceiling from being a first-round exit to a Conference Finalist? Rob Pelinka hasn’t thought so, as seen by his inaction in the trade market in recent years.
If the Lakers believe that Anthony Davis and LeBron James can’t bring home a title together again, it’s best if they look to move Davis while he still has the kind of value the Lakers gave up for him in 2019. He started the season in MVP form, and if there’s any team that can make a move for him, it might be the San Antonio Spurs to recreate the Twin Towers with Victor Wembanyama and Davis.
Trade Details
San Antonio Spurs Receive: Anthony Davis, D’Angelo Russell, Christian Wood, Jalen Hood-Schifino
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Devin Vassell, Zach Collins, Keldon Johnson, Malaki Branham, 2025 First-Round Pick (ATL), 2026 First-Round Pick (SAS), 2027 First-Round Pick (ATL), 2029 First-Round Pick (SAS)
This deal lands Wembanyama a superstar co-star as a versatile defender with tremendous offensive ability. Wembanyama and Davis running the two-man game on either end of the court could be virtually unstoppable, with the Spurs still having plenty of assets to round out their lineup with other additions. Meanwhile, the Lakers get four first-round picks and a cast of rotational players who could surround LeBron well for the final few seasons of his career.
The Spurs Bring Back The Twin Towers
The first championship in Spurs’ history was won through a dynamic big-man duo of Tim Duncan and David Robinson. A pairing of Victor Wembanyama with an All-NBA caliber center like Anthony Davis could very well be the building block for a sixth championship in franchise history, as this would be a duo that very few teams in the NBA can hope to stop.
Davis is averaging 26.9 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists this season. He might be the perfect big man next to Wembaynama. His offensive usage rate is relatively low in open-court, with Davis also being an expert executor when it comes to plays specifically drawn up for him.Â
He provides the interior strength the Spurs have lacked with the wiry Wembanyama at the center. Davis has also wanted to play in a more dynamic frontcourt, so having a C/PF like Wembanyama with whom he can effortlessly switch positions would be fantastic.
To make contracts match, Davis will bring disgruntled Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell with him, who’s averaging 12.4 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists this season. He’d be a great piece for a winning push this season, but his real value comes as an expiring contract the Spurs will move off in the summer.Â
The same applies to Christian Wood and Jalen Hood-Schifino, but Schifno could be given another contract due to his youth and development potential.
The Spurs might not be able to compete for a title this very season, but Davis can help progress Wembanyama’s development and make the Spurs a bonafide contender for the next few seasons with four years and $175.3 million left on his contract.
The Lakers Start Preparing For The Future
LeBron James’ decline this season has proven one thing to many – the Lakers can’t rely on LeBron to lead them to a championship at age 40. They probably can’t even rely on Davis to do that as the No. 1 option unless the rotation behind them is solid.Â
We’ve seen James carry worse rosters to the NBA Finals, so it’s clear to see that we are in the endgame of LeBron as a high-level contending player. If that is the case, it might be best to start rebuilding right now as he likely will get a farewell tour whenever he hangs it up.
To keep the air of contention alive in Laker land with LeBron, the team can land Devin Vassell, who’s averaging 17.8 points this season. Vassell comes with long-term upside as an under-contract 3-and-D youngster, while Keldon Johnson is averaging 12.8 points and 5.5 rebounds. Collins adds to the Lakers center depth and is averaging 6.2 points and 3.4 rebounds, while Malaki Branham is a long-term prospect capable of being a high-level scorer in the NBA.
The bevy of draft picks (2 from the Spurs, 2 from the Hawks) will help the Lakers reset, especially by controlling the Hawks 2025 first-round pick just in case they start losing games. LeBron might not retire this season, but it’s around the corner regardless.Â
Rather than waiting for James to hang it up and continue playing mediocre basketball, the front office can prioritize the franchise’s future and make deals to consolidate what’s coming for the rest of the 2020s.
Why Would Lakers Accept This Offer?Â
It seems ludicrous to suggest the Lakers would accept a trade offer for Anthony Davis, especially with his form and availability over the last few seasons. He’s under a long-term contract with the franchise and is happy, but all of that could change.Â
Insiders aren’t sure if Davis will stick around after LeBron retires from the team. Instead of worrying about that, they can maximize trade assets for him while LeBron has a memorable retirement tour in LA without the expectations of bringing home a chip.
Vassell, Johnson, and Branham provide tremendous upside while Collins is a solid short-term veteran to have on the franchise. Vassell will be an exciting acquisition, with the Lakers having the potential to turn him into the 3-and-D player they’ve already wanted. Keldon won’t score as efficiently as Vassell, but he’s a fast and motivated athlete, something the Lakers need desperately right now.
Trading Davis might seem like a step back, but the true value of the deal will only become clearer as time goes on. There are diminishing returns for the Lakers as contenders with Davis at the top, especially if LeBron decides to retire within the next two seasons. Getting a haul like this will set the franchise up for another decade.
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