Anthony Davis Traded to Lakers: What it Means for the NBA
LeBron James and Anthony Davis Team Up in Los Angeles
Late on Saturday night, June 15th, 2019, the NBA world was rocked by a blockbuster trade that sent Anthony Davis from the New Orleans Pelicans to the Los Angeles Lakers. In exchange for Davis, the Pelicans received Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart and three first-round draft picks, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
The trade is a major coup for the Lakers, who have been looking to add a second star to pair with LeBron James. Davis is one of the best players in the NBA, and he is still just 26 years old. He is a four-time All-Star and three-time All-NBA selection, and he led the Pelicans to the playoffs in each of the past three seasons.
The Lakers are now the favorites to win the NBA Championship
With Davis in the fold, the Lakers are now the clear favorites to win the NBA Championship. They have two of the best players in the league in Davis and James, and they have a strong supporting cast that includes Kyle Kuzma, JaVale McGee, and Rajon Rondo. The Lakers are also expected to add another star player in free agency, with Kawhi Leonard and Kyrie Irving both being linked to the team.
The Lakers have not won an NBA Championship since 2010, but they are now the team to beat in the Western Conference. With Davis and James leading the way, the Lakers are poised to make a deep run in the playoffs and contend for the title.
What does this mean for the New Orleans Pelicans?
The trade of Davis is a major setback for the Pelicans, who were hoping to build around him for the future. However, the Pelicans did get a good return for Davis, and they should be able to compete for a playoff spot in the Western Conference next season. The Pelicans received a lot of young talent in the trade, and they should be able to build a competitive team around Zion Williamson, who they drafted with the first overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.
The Pelicans are now in a rebuilding mode, but they have a lot of young talent to work with. They should be able to compete for a playoff spot in the Western Conference in the next few years.
Conclusion
The trade of Anthony Davis to the Los Angeles Lakers is a major shakeup in the NBA. The Lakers are now the clear favorites to win the NBA Championship, while the Pelicans are in a rebuilding mode. It will be interesting to see how both teams perform in the upcoming season.
