LA Lakers finally make massive trade to New Orleans for Anthony Davis

The Los Angeles Lakers have kicked off the NBA’s off-season with an almighty splash that sent shockwaves around the entire league.

The bromance between LeBron James and Anthony Davis can finally play out.

The Los Angeles Lakers and LeBron James finally have their man, with the New Orleans Pelicans dealing them Anthony Davis in a blockbuster trade.

The Pelicans have agreed to trade Davis to the Lakers for Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, and three first-round picks — including the No. 4 overall selection in next week’s NBA draft.

The news was broken by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and the extra draft pick is a boon for the Pelicans, who are also tipped to take Zion Williamson with the opening selection of the draft.

The Pelicans have agreed to a deal to trade Anthony Davis to the Lakers for Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, and three first-round picks – including the No. 4 overall in 2019 Draft, league sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 15, 2019

The Boston Celtics had also been engaged in separate talks with the Pelicans for Davis, sources said earlier this week, while the Brooklyn Nets and LA Clippers had interest in Davis but were unable to gather traction in conversations with New Orleans.

The deal cannot be finalised until July 1.

The Lakers had pushed for a Davis trade midway through the 2018/19 regular season, but failed to put together a package New Orleans felt was good enough.

Lonzo Ball is no longer going to be a Laker.

And while multiple reports suggested the Pelicans were less than keen to trade Davis to their Western Conference rival, the massive offer was seemingly too tempting to refuse.

Davis and his representation had made it clear that he viewed his long-term future in either Los Angeles or New York; the 26-year-old representing a second star next to James as the Lakers look to make a splash at the top of the West.

Per Marc Stein, Kemba Walker will be a “top priority” for the Lakers in free agency as they look to round out their big three.

Kemba Walker will be a top target in free agency for the Lakers after they reached an agreement in principle to trade for Anthony Davis, according to league sources

— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 15, 2019

Stein also reported that Boston’s play for Davis fell over in part because they were unwilling to deal boom youngster Jayson Tatum to the Pelicans.

Earlier in the season the Lakers had tried and failed to make a trade for Davis that had disastrous implications for their season.

The Lakers had reportedly agreed to offload Ball, Ingram and Hart as well as Kyle Kuzma and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in theearlier negotiations.

The collapsed deal was reported to have destabilised the Lakers dressing room and the team’s season tailed off dramatically as they failed to make the playoffs once again.

That disappointing finish to the Lakers season led to the shock resignation of president of basketball operations Magic Johnson.

A clarification on the haul of draft picks heading the Pelicans' way. The 2021 pick goes to New Orleans if it's in the top eight, if not they'll get an unprotected first in 2022. Swap in 2023. Unprotected first in 2024, with a right to defer to 2025.

— Tania Ganguli (@taniaganguli) June 16, 2019

Johnson later said a rift with Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka had been behind his departure, accusing his former colleague of “betrayal.”

On Saturday, however, Johnson took to Twitter to congratulate Pelinka and Lakers owner Jeanie Buss.

“Great trade Rob Pelinka! Job well done,” Johnson wrote.

“Great job by Owner Jeanie Buss bringing Anthony Davis to the Lakers! Laker Nation, the Lakers are back in a championship hunt! Congratulations to the entire organisation.

“I know LeBron James has a big smile on his face. I’m loving this!!”

Davis is a six-time NBA All-Star who has averaged more than 23 points per game through seven seasons with New Orleans, who drafted him with the first overall pick in 2012.