Los Angeles Lakers To Acquire Anthony Davis

Since the end of the Toronto/Golden State series the Los Angles Lakers had been receiving considerable support in NBA futures betting markets to win the championship. They were either the top choice or the number two choice behind Milwaukee at just about every significant sportsbook in the world. On Saturday, Los Angeles has apparently solidified their ability to challenge for the NBA title by acquiring Anthony Davis from the New Orleans Pelicans. As a result, BetOnline.ag now has the Lakers as +350 favorite to win the NBA Championship in 2019-2020 with the Milwaukee Bucks at +700 and the Houston Rockets at +900.

Davis had requested a trade from New Orleans in January which set off a messy situation that eventually cost Pelicans GM Dell Demps his job. To be fair, most of the chaos was due to the way the Pelicans and to some extent the NBA handled the situation. None of it was really due to bad behavior on Davis’ part. Now he’ll comprise one half of a monster duo with LeBron James. There was a feeling around the league that Davis would become a one year ‘rental’ player before signing with the Lakers when he becomes a free agent at the end of the 2020 season. Indications are now that he will sign an extension with Los Angeles at that point assuming everything goes well in 2019-2020.

Now the question becomes ‘did the Lakers give up too much for Davis?’ To be sure, Los Angeles gave up some serious talent and three first round draft picks. The Pelicans will receive Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart and draft picks including the # 4 overall selection in Thursday’s NBA draft. New Orleans already had the #1 overall pick and will all but certainly select Duke’s Zion Williamson. They now have some nice options for the #4 pick though there is a significant possibility they’ll use it as trade bait. Obviously, the Pelicans will also acquire walking media circus–and Lonzo’s dad–LaVar Ball as part of the deal.

The Lakers did feel fortune that they were able to retain Kyle Kuzma in the trade. Even with Kuzma staying along with center JaVale McGee Los Angeles lost what could become one of the best backcourts in the league in point guard Lonzo Ball and shooting guard Brandon Ingram. They still have a decent chance to retain shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and respected veteran pointguard Rajon Rondo. The transaction rumor wire has already started to heat up–the biggest rumor (and the one that makes the most sense) is for the Lakers to sign Charlotte’s Kemba Walker to put up front with James and Davis. There’s also a strong probability that the Lakers would sign quality big man Derrick Favors assuming that the Utah Jazz don’t exercise his $16 million option for the 2019-2020 season.

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