LeBron James played a bigger role in the Los Angeles Lakers' acquisition of Anthony Davis than anyone else in the organization, and it wasn't even close. Not only did his decision to sign with the Lakers last summer vault them back to legitimacy, but James is also close friends with the six-time All-Star. One of his longtime confidantes, Rich Paul, is Davis' agent, too.
Forgive Los Angeles fans, then, for expecting James to be front and center during his new superstar teammate's introductory press conference on Saturday. Instead of being seated right next to Davis, between general manager Rob Pelinka and coach Frank Vogel, James kept a watchful eye on the proceedings from off-stage.
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.
The dynamic changed following the spring departures of Pelicans general manager Dell Demps and Lakers president of basketball operations Magic Johnson. New Orleans won the draft lottery, getting a generational prospect in Zion Williamson to make it easier to move on from its previous one, and new chief decision-maker David Griffin quickly re-engaged Los Angeles in trade talks once it became apparent he couldn't change Davis' mind about leaving the Pelicans.
A deal was finally agreed upon in June, when the Lakers sent Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, and three first-round picks to the Pelicans in exchange for Davis.
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