The Lakers have been weighing their options since acquiring the services of LeBron James in the summer, as they haven’t really traded in any superstar apart from LeBron.
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Now, LeBron’s game style requires a good 3 point shooter, one that the Lakers have been on the look out for.
Melo and Ariza seemed like good options, but the Lakers pulled out of the deal for both players as they would have had to include a few of their young players in the deal.
According to reports, Ariza was offered to the Lakers by the Suns, but they were not ready to do away with their young core, something that the Suns considered very essential to the deal.
But why are the Lakers holding onto their young core so dearly? Is it because they want them to develop, mature and maybe next year help LeBron in making a serious case for the NBA championship.
Well, ESPN’s Woj certainly doesn’t think so.
Woj believes that Lakers are not going to do away with their young assets just for a deal that would make them incrementally better. Instead they are planning a blockbuster deal for Anthony Davis, one that could go through next summer and make them serious contenders for the title next season.
“Here’s the line [the Lakers] 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.
“The absolute dream scenario, people talk about (how) they can trade for Anthony Davis or sign a free agent. The dream scenario is they do both.” he added.
Now, Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard have also been in the scheme of things as far as the Lakers are concerned, and they could form an enviable big 3 of Davis, LeBron and KD/Kawhi next season.
Pelicans are working overtime in order to make Davis stay, trying to prove to him that they have high ambitions and could make a strong case for the NBA title in the years to come.
But for that they need to start winning more in the regular season and go deep during the playoffs.
Pelicans could offer Davis a bumper contract worth $230 million on July 1, but with LeBron and Davis having the same agent, things could go south for the Pelicans.
Do you think it is wise on the Lakers’ part to stockpile in order to save stuff for that massive Anthony Davis trade? Or are they gambling a little too much on the Davis trade going through?
