The Los Angeles Lakers and New Orleans Pelicans Agree on Trade Bringing Anthony Davis to LA

Introduction

Sources report that the Los Angeles Lakers and the New Orleans Pelicans agreed on a blockbuster NBA trade. This trade will be signed and become official on Saturday, July 6th, 2019 when the NBA free agency period begins. All of the players involved in the trade will need to pass a physical examination as that is the industry standard.

The Lakers will acquire the three time All NBA superstar, Anthony Davis, while the New Orleans Pelicans will receive Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, and Josh Hart along with the Laker’s 4th overall draft pick in the upcoming 2019 NBA draft. This year’s draft is on Thursday, June 20th, 2019 in the evening. It is worth mentioning that the New Orleans Pelicans already have the first overall draft pick that they won in the NBA draft lottery that was held several weeks ago.

2019 NBA Draft Predictions

Unanimously people agree that the Pelicans will select the power forward prodigy, Zion Williamson out of Duke University with the first overall draft pick on Thursday, June 20th, 2019. Sports Illustrated and ESPN are projecting New Orleans drafting Jarrett Culver who is a sophomore shooting guard from Texas Tech University. Texas Tech was the runner up in the 2019 NCAA March Madness Tournament as they lost to the national champion Virginia Cavaliers.

The New Look Los Angeles Lakers

With the Lakers getting the big time player with the unibrow, Davis, they should be better equipped to compete with the other powerhouse teams in the Western Conference. Teams such as the Western Conference champion Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, Denver Nuggets, Portland Trail Blazers, and others.

LeBron James obviously did not feel that he had enough help on his team to lead them deep into the playoffs and possibly win an NBA championship. The coaching changes the Lakers made should be good for them as well. They hired new head coach, Frank Vogel, as well as Jason Kidd as the top assist coach. That is basically like having two qualified head coaches. It is too bad Magic Johnson is still not the President of basketball operations as I know he would have liked to win a championship with LeBron and Davis.

New Orleans Pelicans Potential Starting Line Up for 2019/2020 NBA Season

• Zion Williamson – Power Forward / Center
• Lonzo Ball – Point Guard
• Brandon Ingram – Small Forward
• Josh Hart or Jarret Culver – Shooting Guard
• Jrue Holliday – Point Guard

Los Angeles Lakers Potential Starting Line Up for 2019/2020 NBA Season

• LeBron James – Small Forward
• Anthony Davis – Power Forward
• Kyle Kuzma – Small Forward
• Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (if he re-signs with the Lakers) – Shooting Guard
• Kemba Walker (if signed in free agency) – Point Guard

Davis Basketball Accomplishments and Awards

• 6× NBA All-Star (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019)
• NBA All-Star Game MVP (2017)
• 3× All-NBA First Team (2015, 2017, 2018)
• NBA All-Defensive First Team (2018)
• 2× NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2015, 2017)
• 3× NBA blocks leader (2014, 2015, 2018)
• NBA All-Rookie First Team (2013)
• NCAA champion (2012)
• NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player (2012)
• Consensus national player of the year (2012)
• Consensus first-team All-American (2012)
• NABC Defensive Player of the Year (2012)
• USBWA National Freshman of the Year (2012)
• SEC Player of the Year (2012)
• SEC Defensive Player of the Year (2012)
• Jordan Brand Classic co-MVP (2011)

Sources:

“Lakers reach deal for Pelicans' Davis”, Adrian Wojnarowski, espn.com, June 17, 2019.

“2019 NBA Mock Draft 10.0: Anthony Davis Trade Shakes Up the Lottery”, Jeremy Woo, si.com, June 17, 2019.

“Anthony Davis”, basketball-reference.com, June 17, 2019.

“Lonzo Ball”, basketball-reference.com, June 17, 2019.

“Brandon Ingram”, basketball-reference.com, June 17, 2019.

“Josh Hart”, basketball-reference.com, June 17, 2019.

Written by: David Green