NBA Rumors: Lakers Make First Anthony Davis Offer, Pelicans Want Forward Included

The Los Angeles Lakers are making serious in-roads in their pursuit of Anthony Davis, who is available via trade this summer. After failing with multiple offers in February, they are currently odds on favorite to land the New Orleans Pelicans power forward.

The Pelicans are resigned to losing their prized asset but are ready to go the distance to get the best deal possible and are said to have made their demands clear to interested teams. The Lakers have reportedly made their first offer but the Pelicans are exploring their options and not settling on the first offer they receive.

The Lakers are said to have made available Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram and their No. 4 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, according to New York Times’ Marc Stein. But according to LA Times’ Tania Ganguli, the New Orleans franchise wants Kyle Kuzma also included in the trade package, which the Lakers are currently reluctant to do.

Kuzma was the second highest scorer behind LeBron James last season and the Los Angeles franchise are said to be keen to retain the 23-year-old power forward. They have kept him out of the negotiations thus far, but could be forced to include him if the Pelicans insist, as the Lakers are keen to sign Davis.

According to Stein, there is a possibility the first offer from the Lakers could be sufficient if the No. 4 overall pick offered by the Lakers can get a player that excites the Pelicans. A top prospect along with Ball and Ingram could see the teams reach an agreement in principle before the draft night on June 20.

The Lakers, however, are not the only team interested in Davis as the Pelicans are considering offers from New York Knicks, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Clippers and Brooklyn Nets. But the purple and gold team have an advantage as they are among two teams Davis is ready to commit his long-term future to when he enters free agency next year.

The Davis saga is likely to be nearing its end with the Pelicans said to be keen to have a deal in place by the coming weekend in order to have time to plan how to utilize the draft picks they acquire via the trade.