NBA Trade Rumors: 3 Players the Los Angeles Lakers need to avoid ahead of the trade deadline
As the Los Angeles Lakers entered their Christmas day game against the Golden State Warriors, Luke Walton's team were battling to finish in the top four of the ultra-competitive Western Conference. The Lakers went on to blow away the Warriors on prime time television, however, during the game LeBron James suffered a groin injury, and without the NBA's best player, the Lakers have since fallen out of the playoff places.
After a six week absence, LeBron has finally returned and the Lakers still have an outside shot at reaching the postseason. Nevertheless, the Lakers' ability to make the playoffs may depend on their business dealings in the next 40 hours, as the NBA trade deadline will kick into effect on Thursday at 3 pm (Eastern Time). Arrivals are likely, although here we will look at three players that the Lakers should avoid.
#3 Anthony Davis
Anthony Davis is evidently the man whom the Lakers need for the future, however, the franchise has already done everything in their power to acquire him this month, and it is now time to wait until the summer. According to Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times, the Lakers offered the huge package Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, and Ivica Zubac, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and two-first round draft picks in return for Davis.
Some reports have claimed that the Pelicans wanted additional draft picks included, however, the Lakers have already offered their entire young core, and a trade is evidently not going to happen this week. The Boston Celtics won't be able to offer the Pelicans a better trade package during the 2019 offseason, and it is now a case of the Lakers waiting until the summer.
Also read: NBA Trade Rumors Roundup, February 5th
Also read: NBA Daily Schedule, Latest Results, and TV Listings