Lakers trade for Davis
The exciting 2019 NBA offseason has gotten off to a big start this weekend, just days after the season ended, as the Los Angeles Lakers made a blockbuster trade.
This weekend it was reported that the Lakers are sending Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart and three first round NBA Draft picks, including the No. 4 pick in this week’s NBA Draft in return for Anthony Davis of the New Orleans Pelicans.
According to the latest oddsmakers, the Lakers are now the favorite to win the NBA Finals next season, as they have jumped up to 7/2 odds. The Milwaukee Bucks are listed with 7/1 odds while the Houston Rockets have 9/1 odds.
The Lakers are giving up a lot for Davis, but expect to sign him to a massive new deal to keep him in Los Angeles for years, pairing him with LeBron James. The Lakers are coming off a 37-45 record last year, LeBron’s first with the team.
Davis is coming off a 2018-19 season where he played 56 games and averaged 25.9 points, 12.0 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 2.4 blocks. Davis is averaging 23.7 points and 10.5 rebounds over his career and certainly is a very impactful addition to the team.
The Lakers will be thin right now, but are hoping to add another major player in free agency, which begins next week. LeBron James averaged 27.4 points, 8.5 rebounds and 8.3 assists for the team last season and the team still has Kyle Kuzma, who was second in scoring with 18.7 points per contest.