Additional endorsement opportunities in the NBA's glitziest media market aren't the only reason why Anthony Davis wanted to be traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. Now that his wish has come true, though, it's likely no coincidence that the six-time All-Star is already taking advantage of that reality.
According to Front Office Sports, Davis will be announced as a “creative partner” with Ruffles on Tuesday, becoming the first NBA player in history to have a potato chip endorsement deal. Davis has already helped design a chip-inspired shoe called “The Ruffles Ridge Tops,” evidence of the forward-thinking partnership he's forming with Ruffles.
“Ruffles keeps finding new ways to make the game more fun for basketball fans and a ‘Chip Deal’ in itself is unprecedented – which is exactly why I wanted to do it,” Davis said in a statement to Front Office Sports. “From the design of ‘The Ridge Tops’ to new flavors and contests, I have a lot of ideas and Ruffles shares my excitement for making them happen.”
Davis requested a trade from the New Orleans Pelicans in late January, with rumors immediately surfacing that his preferred destination was the Lakers. Though the teams negotiated up to the trade deadline, reports differ on just how seriously New Orleans took early discussions with Los Angeles on a Davis trade.
The situation changed after the departures of Pelicans general manager Dell Demps and Lakers president of basketball operations Magic Johnson. Despite being adamant that his team would do all it could to hang onto Davis after winning the Zion Williamson lottery ticket, New Orleans executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin began trade talks anew shortly after the draft lottery, culminating in a blockbuster trade agreement reached last weekend that will send Davis to Los Angeles in exchange for Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2019 draft, and two additional first-rounders.
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