Report: NBA Insider reveals if the Los Angeles Lakers will trade Anthony Davis
The Los Angeles Lakers have been one of the most disappointing teams in recent history. From barely being above .500 to various health issues within their roster, the Lakers have yet to reach their expectation of making the NBA finals. While basketball is a team-orientated sport, a lot of the blame for the Lakers' terrible start to this season has to do with Anthony Davis and his poor shooting.
Currently, Davis averages 23.3 PPG, 10 RPG, and 2.0 BLK while averaging 52% from the field and an abysmal 17% from the three-point line. Overall, Davis statistically is having a solid season as his defence and rebounding flirts around his career averages. However, his outside and even mid-range scoring separate him from prior seasons as he is averaging the worst percentages of his entire career!
Davis is among many players that have struggled to shoot efficiently this season. James Harden and Damian Lillard are some of the other stars that have averaged career-low percentages to start the season. This is most likely due to the NBA changing their basketball from Spalding to a Wilson ball. Every player has reacted to the Wilson ball differently. Some saw improvement with their percentages compared to previous seasons, and others have noticed a drastic regression. While players like Harden and Lillard have learned to adapt with the Wilson ball, Davis is still struggling to shoot efficiently.
Unfortunately for Davis, he cannot practice shooting as he is sidelined for a month after suffering a sprained MCL injury against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Since being drafted to the New Orleans Pelicans in 2013, Davis every season managed to suffer an injury that would sideline him for a significant amount of time. Despite Davis being unable to control when he is or isn't healthy, it's an inconvenience for an organization, especially if they are trying to win an NBA championship. Davis is a central component for the Lakers as they have stated that he is the future of their organization. The Lakers have invested and sacrificed a significant amount of their future in bringing Davis to Los Angeles. However, with Davis constantly getting injured and his lack of ability to shoot the basketball efficiently this season, will the Lakers be inclined to trade him due to his inconsistent health?
According to an article written by Jonathan Adams of “Heavy Sports”, he quotes NBA insider Kevin O'Connor of “The Ringer”, if the Lakers would trade Davis.
"You can't be totally sure of almost anything in the NBA," O'Connor detailed during a December 20 mailbag. "The no. 1 rule is to expect the unexpected. But it would be shocking if the Lakers decided it was time to dump him when LeBron James wanted Davis, a fellow client of Klutch Sports. Would AD want out of L.A.? Would Klutch want AD out?"
What O'Connor states is accurate; James was the primary reason why the Lakers even insisted on trading for Davis in the first place. The Lakers trading Davis is extremely unlikely, but O'Connor reveals that Chicago could be a possible destination for Davis.
"I just don't see it," O'Connor added. "In a few years? Sure, why not. Who knows what will happen as LeBron approaches age 40. AD has already said he'd 'definitely consider' playing for his hometown Bulls if the opportunity presented itself. Totally speculating here, but maybe in a future hypothetical sign-and-trade, AD-to-Chicago would be Lonzo Ball's path back to Los Angeles."
While no interest in trading Davis has been confirmed, it's important to note that Davis may look to join the Chicago Bulls in the foreseeable future. With the Bulls currently sitting as the second seed in a competitive Eastern Conference, a reunion to his hometown is not entirely out of context. The Lakers could trade Davis for a package centered around DeMar DeRozan, a player who has revived his career in Chicago. DeRozan is currently playing like an MVP while displaying some of the best basketball he has ever played. Unlike Davis or even Westbrook, DeRozan has proven this season that he is a reliable option that can win games. Despite all of this being a suggestion or even a fantasy, Rob Pelinka needs to decide if Davis is reliable enough to sustain his status as the future of the Los Angeles Lakers.
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