NBA Rumors: Lakers Offer For Anthony Davis This Year, Also Want Durant

The Los Angeles Lakers are said to be preparing to go big in the NBA trade market, while also targeting one of the top free agents available next summer as they look to build a super team with LeBron James at the center.

The NBA’s second most successful franchise signed James on a four-year deal earlier this summer as they look to end their five-year playoff drought. But they have made a poor start to the new campaign having lost five of their opening seven games to sit 11th on the Western Conference table.

The Lakers will have max cap space going into next summer’s free agency and are looking to bring in one of the top unrestricted free agents. Kevin Durant, who will be out of contract with the Golden State Warriors next summer, is said to be top of their list.

The two-time NBA Finals MVP signed a short-term deal with the Bay Area team and many believe that this will be his final season with the reigning back-to-back NBA champions. And the Lakers are keen to tempt him to join the overhaul and get them back to championship-winning ways.

Another player on their wish list is New Orleans Pelicans center Anthony Davis, who is on the radar of many teams including the Boston Celtics. The 2018-19 MVP candidate will not be a free agent until 2020, but teams are said to be willing to engineer a trade to land him earlier.

According to NBA expert Brandon Robinson, the Lakers are looking to form a super team involving James, Durant, and Davis. They are said to be preparing a trade offer for the Pelicans and it could even happen before this season’s trade deadline on February 7.

The Staples Center franchise will need to involve a third team if they are to sign both Durant and Davis, and will also have to trade one of their top young players in order to tempt the Pelicans to trade their key player.

“Spoke to someone over the weekend who believes that the Los Angeles Lakers aren't going to wait for Anthony Davis to become a free agent,” Robinson said. “ Source believes that the Lakers are going all out in pursuit of AD via a trade next summer.”

“Source says that in talking with at least two people in the know in LA that they could attempt to propose a trade as early as this year!” he added. “To do that, the Lakers would obviously have to part with at least one of their young budding players and could bring in a third team to make this deal work.”

“Told that KCP [Kentavious Caldwell-Pope] could be convinced to accept a trade (he's eligible to be traded after December 15, also would have to give up his early bird rights) as his salary would be useful in any trade to match salaries.

“Per my source: ‘The Lakers are gunning for the biggest names. LBJ, KD & AD in LA. It's all part of the plan’. Source says Lakers are interested in a potential Laker team with LeBron, KD and AD next year,” Robinson explained.