Rich Paul, agent and founder of Klutch Sports, says Los Angeles Lakers superstar big man Anthony Davis just felt it was time to leave the New Orleans Pelicans.

Paul says Davis has profound respect for Pelicans owner Gayle Benson. By requesting a trade, Davis actually helped the Pelicans since they were able to get a return from the Lakers instead of losing AD for nothing in free agency next summer.

New Orleans GM David Griffin acquired Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart and three first round picks in exchange for Davis, who got his wish by joining LeBron James on the Lakers.

Rich Paul also says Anthony Davis' trade request was ahead of its time. As we saw this summer with Paul George, stars can demand trades even when they are in the middle of their contracts. George requested a trade from the Oklahoma City Thunder a year after he signed a four-year extension with them.

Had Davis not requested a trade and just left the Pelicans next summer as a free agent, New Orleans would have been set back as a franchise. Losing a historically great player like Davis and not getting anything in return is a doomsday scenario for any NBA organization.

In this situation, both the Lakers and Pelicans won.