Should the Lakers trade for Anthony Davis?
Given this year’s free agency class, I am not sure there is a solid big man that the Lakers can get without overpaying (like Walker Kessler who is a restricted free agent). Therefore, why don’t the Lakers look into trading for Anthony Davis to buy low while his value is down?
The Lakers can combine the salaries of Dalton Knecht, Jared Vanderbilt, Jake Laravia, and DeAndre Ayton along with their first round pick this year (maybe another pick to get the deal done). By combining these salaries, AD takes about $20M dollars of the team’s cap space that still includes Austin Reaves’s cap hold.
Washington does it because they get a first round pick this year, a prospect in Dalton Knecht, and expiring contracts with Vanderbilt, Laravia, and Ayton.
The Lakers resign Rui for about $20M and use the remaining cap space and the room exception to further fill out their bench. Since AR is still under their cap hold, the team can go over the salary cap to resign AR.
LeBron might be intrigued with getting to play again with AD now with both Luka and AR remaining on the team along with Bronny being on the team as well as Smart, Rui, and a few free agent additions to fill out the bench. LeBron might take the vet minimum for such a scenario, but they could offer him a higher salary if needed using their remaining free agency salary or the room exception. However, by taking the vet minimum, the Lakers can get a couple more bench pieces and give LeBron a solid reason why they are offering the vet minimum not in a disrespectful way.
I know AD has gotten hurt, but his value is really down that is worth considering 🤷‍♂️