The NBA Draft Lottery sent shock waves throughout the entire league on Tuesday night, as the New Orleans Pelicans defied the odds to land the no. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft while the Los Angeles Lakers climbed all the way into the top four.
Both Los Angeles and New Orleans figure to be the biggest winners of the Lottery alongside the Memphis Grizzlies, who secured the no. 2 pick. Coincidentally enough, this could reinvigorate trade talks between the Lakers and Pelicans after a midseason trade effort centered around Anthony Davis fell through.
But while that proposal would have sent Davis to Los Angeles, actor and notorious NBA fan Michael Rapaport thinks the Lakers may instead send LeBron James to New Orleans:
While some NBA fans may contend that Rapaport is simply an outspoken comedian who does not have a single clue, there is a level of intrigue here due mostly in part to the results of the Lottery as well as the situation in Los Angeles.
For all intents and purposes, the Lakers have not officially hired a president of basketball operations, but Kurt Rambis appears to be the acting president. Similarly, ESPN's Stephen A. Smith reported that Lakers owner Jeanie Buss was being advised to trade LeBron.
Suddenly, things may fall into place. The Lakers could potentially deal LeBron to New Orleans in exchange for the no. 1 pick and the rights to Zion Williamson, who would fit right in alongside the Lakers' young group of Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma and Lonzo Ball.
But Davis has been insistent in his desire to leave New Orleans, and has established a relatively toxic relationship with the fan base.
A more likely scenario could be Davis coming to Los Angeles in a deal centered around the no. 4 pick as well as Ball, Kuzma or other assets.
That way, the Pelicans could remove Davis from the equation while still keeping the top pick and getting other young talent.