The Los Angeles Lakers and New Orleans Pelicans have begun discussing trade talks for superstar forward Anthony Davis. When Davis requested out of New Orleans, many assumed that the Lakers will be prepared to make everyone not named LeBron James available in trade talks. However, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic, one player that hasn't been included in any discussion is shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
Sources with The Athletic's Pelicans reporter @WillGuillory: One player the Lakers have not placed in discussions with Pelicans for Anthony Davis (besides LeBron James): Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 2, 2019
The timing of Davis' trade request assumingly gives the Lakers some kind of leverage, since their rivals, the Boston Celtics cannot make a deal for The Brow until after July 1st without including Kyrie Irving.
With this leverage, the purple and gold pounced and reportedly made their first offer. The package included former second overall pick Lonzo Ball, second-year forward Kyle Kuzma, veterans Rajon Rondo and Michael Beasley, and a first-round draft pick.
Obviously, the deal didn't push through given that the NBA Twitterverse did not go up in flames Friday. The Pelicans reportedly also felt low-balled by the offer, which does not bode well for the Lakers front office.
Many assumed that Caldwell-Pope will eventually be the salary-filler in any AD-to-LA trade package. KCP obviously makes more sense as a trade piece than Rondo and Beasley given that he is also under a one-year deal and is much younger than those two.
But it is worth noting that Caldwell-Pope is also a client of Klutch Sports, the same agency that James and Davis are under. This may very well be the reason for him seemingly looking untouchable by Los Angeles.
Still, this is all speculation whether this development is all part of James power playing the Lakers front office. Could the magic hand of LeGM be in the works here?
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