The Los Angeles Lakers have a two-week advantage in the race for Anthony Davis, after the five-time All-Star forward requested the New Orleans Pelicans trade him, as he has no intentions of re-signing with them.

Yet they also have three big obstacles in their way to make suitable trade offers for his services, according to ESPN Insider Bobby Marks.

“Their first (round pick) in 2019 and 2021 has no value if (Davis)/(LeBron James) are on the roster. Unprotected first would have to start in 2023 and 2025.

The lack of contracts to send back in the off-season unless they want to use cap space or clear the deck of all the young players. Roster filled with first-round contracts outside of LeBron.

Boston waiting on the sidelines until 7/1.”

The Lakers can't quite offer a valuable first-rounder with James and Davis in the same roster, as the team would likely have the team competing for a championship, therefore generating a lower first-round selection than a team nearing the bottom of the standings.

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Los Angeles has a plethora of players in their rookie-scale contracts — Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, Josh Hart, Brandon Ingram, Ivica Zubac, Svi Mykhailiuk, Moritz Wagner — half the roster virtually each owed less than eight digits per season.

To make matters worse, the Boston Celtics, who are unable to trade for Davis with Kyrie Irving still on the roster due to the “Rose Rule” condition, already have prepared for this moment years ahead, boasting a plethora of attractive young assets like Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Terry Rozier, Marcus Smart and a plethora of draft picks at president Danny Ainge's disposal.

The Pelicans could easily choose to wait until July 1, when Boston would enter the race and raise the ante, likely with a package too tough for any NBA franchise to match.

The Celtics would give the Pelicans ready-made assets to help them right away, rather than a future promise or players that could at best become decent role players.

Boston has L.A. beat in quality and quantity, the only advantage the Lakers have at hand, as it sits — it's less than two weeks' time.