Lakers' Anthony Davis Trade Odds Increase With Los Angeles Missing 2019 Playoffs, Celtics' Turmoil

The Los Angeles Lakers’ season has turned into a trainwreck since the organization failed to trade for Anthony Davis, and it’s almost certainly going to end with L.A. missing the playoffs. While part of the team’s freefall can be linked to those trade talks, the Lakers’ ensuing poor play should actually improve their odds of completing a deal with the New Orleans Pelicans this summer.

You can bet that the Lakers will continue to pursue Davis, whom the Pelicans will deal before he can leave as a free agent in 2020. Los Angeles’ reported offer of Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma and multiple first-round picks looks better now that the Lakers are headed for the 2019 NBA Draft lottery.

Los Angeles’ first-round pick has gained plenty of value since Davis first asked for a trade. The Lakers looked to be headed for a postseason berth and a selection possibly in the low 20s just a few weeks ago.

After going 4-10 since Davis’ trade request became public, the Lakers will find themselves in the Zion Williamson Sweepstakes. Los Angeles is 5.5 games out of the playoffs with just 18 games left, virtually taking them out of contention.

The Lakers are a long shot to win the lottery, though their odds of getting a top draft pick could increase before the season ends. Los Angeles is only two games in the loss column ahead of the Dallas Mavericks, who have a six percent chance to win the lottery and a 26.3 percent chance of landing a top-four pick.

L.A. is only a half-game away from having a 10.3 percent chance of getting a top-four pick. With the 17th-best record in the NBA, the Lakers currently have a one percent chance to win the lottery and a 4.8 percent chance to get a top-four pick.

There are plenty of ways the lottery can shake out. If the Lakers somehow win the lottery, Davis will likely be theirs if they want him. Getting a top-three pick might even make Los Angeles the new favorites to acquire Davis, depending on how the Pelicans view prospects like Ja Morant or R.J. Barrett.

Shutting down James for the final few weeks of the season would certainly be one way to try and improve their lottery odds.

The Boston Celtics are the Lakers’ biggest obstacle in trading for Davis. A package centered on Jayson Tatum and draft picks is considered to be more valuable than what the Lakers offered the Pelicans at the trade deadline. If the Lakers’ first-rounder ends up being about 15 spots higher than what was initially expected, that could change.

The Celtics own the Sacramento Kings’ first-rounder—as long as it’s not No.1 overall—and the Los Angeles Clippers’ first-rounder—as long as it’s not a lottery pick. In a draft that isn’t thought to be very deep, a top-four pick might be considered much more valuable than the No.14 and No. 19 picks, where the Kings and Clippers currently fall.

New Orleans took somewhat of a gamble by passing on a deal with the Lakers and deciding to wait for an offer from Boston—or any other team for that matter—this summer. There continues to be speculation that Kyrie Irving won’t re-sign with the Celtics. The point guard’s departure could force Boston to re-think trading all their assets for another star that could leave as a free agent in a year.

Ingram has likely improved his value over the last few weeks. The 21-year-old averaged 21.3 points per game on 50.4 percent shooting in February, and he’s scoring 27.8 points per game since the All-Star break.

Tatum continues to have an underwhelming sophomore season. The perceived gap between him and Ingram might not be what it once was.

Maybe the Lakers’ trade package for Davis will ultimately have to blow all other offers away. The Pelicans seemingly don’t want to do Davis any favors after he tried to force his way to Los Angeles.

But the prospect of getting a high draft pick might be the one positive that Lakers’ fans can hold onto in the midst of what’s been a disastrous year.