After another season of missing the playoffs, one filled with organizational embarrassments, the Lakers desperately needed a break. They got one at the 2019 NBA Draft lottery when they jumped up to No. 4 despite having only a 2.8 percent chance to land the fourth overall pick.
With the NBA Draft order now set, the Anthony Davis sweepstakes begin (again). Does owning the fourth pick give the Lakers a leg up on other teams trying to put together a package for Davis? Or are they behind the Celtics and Knicks in the Davis chase?
OFFSEASON PREVIEWS:
Lakers | Knicks | Celtics
Before the NBA summer madness kicks into high gear, let’s take a look at the three favorites to land Davis and evaluate their primary assets.
Anthony Davis to the Celtics?
Trade assets: Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart, 2019 draft picks (Nos. 14, 20, 22 and 51), 2020 first-round pick (via Grizzlies)
It’s not exactly a secret that Celtics president Danny Ainge has been patiently waiting for his opportunity to snag Davis. Stockpiling talented players, acquiring draft picks, keeping the books relatively clear — it was all done with the intention of being able to land a true superstar with the best possible trade package. And the Celtics do have the best package to offer.
The Pelicans smartly waited for the offseason so that they could explore all options in a Davis trade. Because of the "Rose Rule," the Celtics were unable to deal for Davis at the February deadline. But Ainge reportedly made it clear to New Orleans that Tatum would be made available.
Even after a disappointing sophomore season, Tatum is still the best young player the Pelicans can receive in a Davis trade. He would be a key piece to pair with Zion Williamson (assuming he is selected by New Orleans with the No. 1 overall pick) as the Pelicans attempt to move on from the Davis era.
The Grizzlies' first-rounder is also a major asset because it is only protected for Nos. 1-6 in 2020 and unprotected in 2021. With Memphis looking at a long rebuild, that pick could become much more valuable depending on the results of the 2020 lottery drawing.
MORE: NBA GMs, coaches weigh in on Brown vs. Tatum
But trading for Davis comes with its own set of issues. It certainly isn’t as simple for the Celtics as it is for the two other favorites to land AD.
The Kyrie Irving situation is the elephant in the room. Ainge and the Celtics believe they can convince Davis to sign in Boston long-term following a trade, but their pitch would be significantly worse if they can't get Irving to re-sign once free agency begins in July. After a season filled with disappointments and odd quotes from Irving, his future in Boston couldn’t be less certain at this moment.
Ainge would prefer to have Irving fully committed to the Celtics before pushing all of his chips to the center of the table for Davis, but what happens if Boston has to make an offer for Davis first? Would Ainge be willing to take the biggest risk of his career in order to acquire Davis?
If Irving decides his time in Boston is over after a Davis trade is completed, the Celtics will be left staring at a roster devoid of talent with no real shot at re-signing Davis the following year.
Anthony Davis to the Knicks?
Trade assets: Mitchell Robinson, Kevin Knox, Dennis Smith Jr., Frank Ntilikina, 2019 draft picks (Nos. 3 and 55), 2021 and 2023 first-round picks (via Mavericks)
Knicks fans took a punch to the gut at the 2019 NBA Draft lottery. They were convinced they were getting the No. 1 pick. Heck, New York even had former top pick Patrick Ewing representing the organization. No dice, Knickerbockers. (This all conveniently ignores the actual lottery odds, but hope is a powerful thing.)
Even though the Knicks lost out on seeing Williamson play at Madison Square Garden, their odds in trading for Davis still improved. Williamson is in a tier by himself when it comes to this draft class, but a top-three pick remains quite valuable.
NBA MOCK DRAFT 2019:
Pelicans, Knicks, Hawks snag Duke stars; Lakers pick sharpshooter
The Grizzlies are targeting Ja Morant with the second pick, which leaves RJ Barrett at No. 3. Barrett was widely considered the best prospect before his Duke teammate lit the world on fire. Barrett and Williamson back together again in New Orleans? That could be an enticing combination for Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin.
The main issue with New York's offer is the group of players. While Knox and Mitchell certainly have potential, they aren't nearly on the same level as Tatum and Brown. The Lakers' collection of talent is also arguably more desirable.
New York must hope the Pelicans covet Barrett and like the idea of having two future draft picks from the Mavericks.
Pick details via league memo: NYK receives next avail DAL 1st-rounder unprotected. Depending on when that happens, NYK then receives either DAL 2023, 2024, or 2025 1st-round pick-- top-10 protected in all three years. If they haven't received 1st by 2025, they get Mavs 2025 2nd.
— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) February 1, 2019
Anthony Davis to the Lakers?
Trade assets: Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma, Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, 2019 first-round pick (No. 4)
The addition of the fourth pick would give the Pelicans the chance to pair Zion with another top rookie. Jarrett Culver, De’Andre Hunter and Darius Garland don't pop with star power, but they could be solid pros.
Failing to break into the top-three does make the pick less valuable, however, and the true sticking point is the value of the Lakers' young core. The reported offer of Ingram, Kuzma and Ball for Davis at the trade deadline was not enough for then-Pelicans general manager Dell Demps to pull the trigger. Griffin may view the trio differently, but the Celtics can still offer the better players.
The crown jewel of the Lakers' offer would be Ingram. He went on a late-season tear and showed the NBA that his ceiling is incredibly high. Unfortunately, Ingram’s scary diagnosis of a blood clot in his shoulder is making teams wary.
"The Lakers' offer [for Anthony Davis] is really challenged when comparing to some of the other offers, especially because Brandon Ingram is coming off this blood clot," ESPN's Brian Windhorst recently said regarding Ingram's value. "And I know that they have said that it's going to be okay, but I'm telling you that executives in the league are worried about that."
Obviously it would be great if Ingram never encountered another significant health issue like this again, but if his value has dropped, the Lakers' offer for Davis won’t be enough.
MORE: Kyrie Irving is reportedly "more open" to signing with Lakers
Aside from asset evaluation, there’s also the strange dynamic between Los Angeles and New Orleans in terms of the negotiation process. The Pelicans believe the Lakers had something to do with Davis' trade demand, and the Lakers believe the Pelicans negotiated in bad faith. Griffin can't eliminate all of that leftover animosity.
So I asked @WindhorstESPN if the Pels ever intended to seriously engage with LA on Anthony Davis, or if all the talks & leaks were instead designed to sabotage the young Lakers as revenge for what N.O. sees as tampering, & he said "it's not just possible, it's what happened." 👀 pic.twitter.com/wki2hDPaEs
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) February 7, 2019
LA's offer is better than it was with the draft pick. If the Pelicans come around on Ingram, Kuzma and Ball, suddenly the Lakers have a great shot at landing Davis.
But they’re the least appealing trade partner for New Orleans. The Celtics can trump any offer with Tatum and Brown, and the Knicks essentially putting Barrett on the table is more appealing than Culver, Hunter, Garland or any other prospect down the board.
The Lakers got a big boost on Tuesday night. It was one they badly needed. It also doesn’t bring them much closer to landing Davis.