Unless New Orleans Pelicans superstar big man Anthony Davis becomes available via trade this season, the Los Angeles Lakers are unlikely to trade for an All-Star-caliber player, according to Brian Windhorst of ESPN.

The Lakers are just 3-7 since superstar small forward LeBron James got hurt against the Golden State Warriors on Christmas Day. As a result, some believe Los Angeles needs to trade for an All-Star this season to salvage the year until James comes back since the team's young core of Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma and Josh Hart has shown they can't lead the club to wins.

However, it looks like Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka are going to keep the roster intact unless something happens in New Orleans and the Pelicans start taking trade calls for Anthony Davis.

Article Continues Below
More Los Angeles Lakers News
Apr 30, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) moves in for the dunk against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second half in game five of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
LeBron James puts ‘no bag’ critics on blastZachary Draves ·
Byron Scott during the Jerry Colangelo Golf Classic on September 13, 2024.
Former Laker Byron Scott reveals Kobe Bryant’s ‘most gangster s**t’ everMiguel La Torre ·
Coco Gauff of the United States poses with the trophy after winning the women’s singles final against Aryna Sabalenka on day 14 at Roland Garros Stadium.
LeBron James erupts with huge reaction to Coco Gauff’s French Open winLorenzo J Reyna ·
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Kobe Bryant, Oklahoma City Thunder, Los Angeles Lakers
How Shai Gilgeous-Alexander draws ‘influence’ from Kobe BryantTomer Azarly ·
LeBron James, Stephen (Steph) Curry, who may be heading to an ESPN NBA broadcasting booth after they retire, after Lakers-Warriors game on December 25, 2024.
ESPN has ‘hopeful’ LeBron James, Stephen Curry wishAndrew Korpan ·
Chris Paul rescinded NBA trade Lakers Hornets
Chris Paul shuts down Hornets-Lakers trade conspiracyJulian Ojeda ·

“It seems very unlikely they trade for an All-Star this season unless Anthony Davis were to become available,” Windhorst said on ESPN LA 710 am.

This would be the best move by the Lakers. If Davis declines the supermax extension from the Pelicans this summer, New Orleans might start taking trade calls for The Brow because they can't afford to lose him for nothing.

Davis can become an unrestricted free agent in 2020. To acquire AD, LA would most likely have to give up three players from the Ball-Ingram-Kuzma-Hart core, plus additional picks. The Lakers should hold onto those assets so they can make an all-out effort to acquire Davis in the offseason.