Los Angeles Lakers point guard Rajon Rondo admits “even some of the old guys were affected” by the Anthony Davis trade saga this season.
The Lakers' front office pretty much made everyone on the roster except for LeBron James available in trade talks for Davis. Once the trade rumors were leaked to the public and the players took notice, Los Angeles' locker room was never the same.
“Even some of the old guys were affected,” Rondo told Ric Bucher of Bleacher Report. “I can't say a name, but I remember me and the guy were on the bench for the Atlanta game right before the [All-Star] break. The guy was cussing and talking bad about the situation during the game. I was like: ‘Snap out of it. That s**t is over with. We'll get through it. As vets, we have to move forward and not focus on what the young guys are focusing on. Set an example.' It was a little crazy to see a vet distraught over that.”
The New Orleans Pelicans opted not to trade Davis at the February trade deadline. The damage, though, was done for the Lakers. The players knew the front office was actively trying to acquire Davis and that James was the only untouchable player on the roster.
The first year of the James era was a disaster for the Lakers. The team missed the playoffs and the Davis trade saga tore the team apart. Los Angeles is widely expected to try and trade for Davis again this summer.
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