The Los Angeles Lakers have a huge advantage at hand after Anthony Davis' agent Rich Paul went public with Anthony Davis' desire to be traded by the New Orleans Pelicans.
A potential trade package could include some of their best young talent in Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, Ivica Zubac and the potential of a No. 1 pick, according to Brad Turner of The Los Angeles Times.
The Lakers will be forced to throw everything and the kitchen sink for Davis, fully knowing that the Boston Celtics have the most attractive package at hand, with plenty of young studs and a war chest of draft picks president Danny Ainge has stacked over the years, waiting for this moment.
The Celtics are unable to trade for him until July 1, based on a “Rose Rule” restriction that would prohibit a team from having two players signed for a contract worth 30 percent of the cap.
Article Continues BelowTo do so, they would have to relinquish Irving in the trade or wait until the start of free agency to make a move.
Boston can also agree to terms “in good faith” — setting up the trade permutations only to be completed in July 1 — but that option seems unlikely given the fragility of this kind of blockbuster deal.
The Lakers have the time constraint advantage, but will have to make their offer count, as the Pelicans could well choose to wait until the loaded Celtics can make a beefier offer for their talisman player.
The Feb. 7 deadline is only 11 days away, and Los Angeles would be smart to capitalize on this deal now or risk competing against the Celtics, who boast more and better assets in return.