Anthony Davis has essentially been a Los Angeles Laker since the middle of the 2018-2019 NBA season, when his public trade request from the New Orleans Hornets threw a grenade into the middle of the Lakers season. And though his actual trade to the Lakers didn’t officially happen until the start of free agency, Rob Pelinka and co. have had plenty of time to figure out who, exactly, they would want to put around Davis and LeBron James.
In a sitdown with ESPN’s Rachel Nichols, Davis revealed that Pelinka would call him “every 30 to 45 minutes” once the free agency period opened, asking him his thoughts on various free agents the team was interested in signing and if he had any insight into their current status.
Great conversation with @AntDavis23, on finally becoming a Laker, whether he'd change anything about the last year, trying to recruit Kawhi, why he thinks the Lakers are poised for a title…and oh yeah, I asked him how long he's planning on staying, too. pic.twitter.com/tzEXqU6KNo
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) July 15, 2019
“Rob would call me like, ‘AD, what do you think about him? Alright, cool.’ Right back. ‘AD, this is what’s going on with him. Alright cool.’ I had to tell him, ‘Rob, I’m in the movies!’ And he’d be like, ‘Alright, well call me as soon as you get out!'” Davis said.
Aside from Davis, the Lakers ended up adding Avery Bradley, Quinn Cook, Danny Green, DeMarcus Cousins, Jared Dudley and Troy Daniels via free agency, while resigning guys like Rajon Rondo and JaVale McGee, a roster Davis said he would put up “against anyone.” It remains to be seen how far the revamped Lakers can go next season, but at least we’ll always have the amazing image of Pelinka blowing up Davis’ phone while he was watching Avengers, or something.
