Los Angeles Lakers: 3 stars to target ahead of 2019 NBA Trade Deadline

1. Anthony Davis, PF, New Orleans Pelicans

This one’s pretty obvious, but it demands a mention anyway.

A potential Anthony Davis trade is all the rumor mill has been churning out lately, at least as it relates to the Lakers. While there’s a widespread belief that the New Orleans Pelicans don’t really have much interest in moving their superstar big, crazier things have happened in the NBA.

Let’s imagine a scenario in which Davis goes to the front office and demands a trade, saying he doesn’t want to be there and isn’t going to accept their super-max offer over the summer as he attempts to force his way out. That seems unlikely, but use your imagination. In that instance, the Pelicans might as well save face and find a trade partner before things get too ugly.

At that point, the bidding opens. Any team with a decent amount of assets will come ready to table an offer. In that situation, the Lakers would obviously have to be included in the discussions. They have the pieces to put together a semi-interesting package, with all of their first round picks still intact and plenty of high-upside youngsters to dangle.

Right now, trading for Davis seems like a pipe dream. In reality, it probably is. However, as we learn each and every year, we can’t completely discount even the most ludicrous of ideas. No one thought LeBron James actually wanted to sign with the Lakers, and look where we are now.