The Los Angeles Lakers’ pursuit of Anthony Davis has reportedly come to an end … for now. According to a report by Brad Turner of the Los Angeles Times, Magic Johnson and company have made the decision to pull the plug on trade talks for the superstar big man, who has expressed his desire to leave the New Orleans Pelicans and seek greener pastures.
As Turner reported, the reason the Lakers have decided to leave the negotiating table is the Pelicans’ asking price for Davis. According to reports over the last few days, Los Angeles had put forth offers based around a number of players and draft picks, but New Orleans apparently wanted a little too much, namely a collection of up to eight draft picks — four from the first round of the draft and four from the second.
Via Los Angeles Times:
The Lakers have “pulled out” of any more conversations in trying to acquire New Orleans All-Star Anthony Davis because of the Pelican’s “outrageous” trade requests, according to a person with knowledge of the situation not authorized to speak publicly.
Turner went on to say that Johnson told Pelicans general manager Dell Demps that the Lakers’ most recent package was “its best offer that the Pelicans had wanted, but that the Lakers were not willing to add anything else and would be moving on.” The good news for Los Angeles is that, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the two sides could get back to the table soon if the Pelicans want to send a counter-offer.
The Lakers are still glad to engage with the Pelicans on an Anthony Davis trade, but no longer want to bid against themselves, league sources tell ESPN. Lakers are waiting for Pelicans to make a counter-proposal.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 5, 2019
If Pelicans want to counter the Lakers most recent offer on Davis, Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka are obviously anxious to find a pathway for a trade. This is a negotiation tactic on behalf of Lakers, who have wanted New Orleans to show more initiative in the process. https://t.co/A18urbnu6h
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 5, 2019
There was a report on Monday that the Lakers were growing “increasingly pessimistic” of their chances of getting Davis by the trade deadline. Perhaps things will change between now and Thursday, but for now, it appears the team’s pessimism was warranted.
