One of the best moves the Los Angeles Lakers ever made was trading for superstar big man Anthony Davis four years ago.
They gave the New Orleans Pelicans Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart and draft capital for the then-26-year-old. At the time, some thought New Orleans got the better end of the deal. Now, with Ball’s career possibly over and the yield from the draft picks L.A. gave up looking underwhelming, the trade is looking better and better from the Lakers’ perspective.
Buy Lakers TicketsThere were some hard feelings in New Orleans since Davis essentially forced his way to the Lakers, or so goes the narrative. But legendary New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees had a classy response when Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson asked if it hurt when Davis left.
Anthony Davis leaving New Orleans Pelicans for the Lakers was disappointing but Drew Brees tells @BovadaOfficial he is happy for AD’s success in LA: “I’m really happy for Anthony Davis. I hate that it wasn’t with the Pelicans; it would’ve been nice to have him here. I hated when… pic.twitter.com/4hQzNR330X
— 👑 Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson (@ScoopB) September 6, 2023
The trade left the Pelicans in good shape, even if it ultimately favored the Lakers. Ingram, C.J. McCollum and Zion Williamson have made the Pelicans a team that is a threat in the Western Conference. Some believe that if the team manages to stay healthy, it could become a dark-horse contender.
Davis, meanwhile, immediately delivered the Lakers an NBA championship, and they appear to have a good shot at another ring this coming season.
