LeBron James has been sneakily sending red-alert signals throughout the Los Angeles Lakers organization, taking his first chance to engage in a passive-aggressive recruitment of Anthony Davis to La La Land when asked during a postgame interview.
The Lakers were always going to take a shot at Anthony Davis as a free agent, but James saying so with cameras in his face is a whole ‘nother deal of urgency.
“They are just making sure that AD knows he is still in their plans and they want him,” a rival executive told Frank Isola of The Athletic. “Bron is too smart to act innocent on this one.”
Davis had to play the innocent card, turning down any attention to the rumors for the first third of the season and consequently politely turning down the offer to join James as a teammate, given he's still under contract with the New Orleans Pelicans.
The Lakers have one huge advantage over their eternal rival Boston Celtics, and that is the window of opportunity of trading for Davis before the trade deadline comes around on Feb. 7. The Celtics already have traded for a designated player in Kyrie Irving and would only be able to trade Irving for Davis or wait until free agency to dart their best shot at the rangy big man, per terms of the collective bargaining agreement.
Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry has insisted his team won't trade Davis, but it isn't really in his power to make that decision, one that rests in GM Dell Demps' hands after he gauges the risks and rewards of parting with his star.
One thing is sure, LeBron and the Lakers will be closely watching when that time comes around.
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