Trade Offers Confirmed For Former Lakers Guard, Team Declined Interest

The New Orleans Pelicans lost their battle to retain Anthony Davis this summer and traded their prized asset to Los Angeles Lakers for young trio Josh Hart, Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram along with a future draft picks. The trio was officially introduced during a press conference on Tuesday and executive vice-president of basketball operations David Griffin revealed that there was interest in the trio from other teams.

Hart, Ball and Ingram were part of the young core in Los Angeles and are considered among the brightest prospects in the league at the moment. But the Lakers are looking for immediate success after having spent six seasons out of the playoffs and were keen to land Davis from the Pelicans this summer.

The Lakers’ desire to land Davis ahead of other suitors saw them offer three young prospects, who are expected to have bright futures in the league. And a number of other teams in the league also recognize their potential and made inquiries about their availability via a trade.

“Josh called me before the draft, after we made the trade to acquire these gentlemen, and said ‘I know you can get a lot for me,’ and we literally had received offers from everyone here from the Lakers at that time, and he said, ‘Whatever you do, don’t trade me. I really want to be in New Orleans.,” Griffin told reporters during the press conference.

At least for the moment, the trio’s future seems to be in the Big Easy but there is no certainty about their long-term futures as there will be trade interest again later in the year or next season. The Pelicans are also looking to rebuild and despite losing Davis, they seem to be in a good place in terms of the overall roster.

Apart from the former Lakers trio, they also added JJ Reddick from the Philadelphia 76ers and they have the “next big thing” in the NBA, Zion Williamson, who arrived as the No. 1 overall draft pick. And along with veteran shooting guard Jrue Holiday, they have a roster that lacks a bit of experience but is full of talent going into the new season.