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Los Angeles Lakers: Three early potential trade targets at the deadline

By Jason Reed

OAKLAND, CA - MAY 08: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans complains about a call to Ed Malloy during Game Five of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at ORACLE Arena on May 8, 2018 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - MAY 08: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans complains about a call to Ed Malloy during Game Five of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at ORACLE Arena on May 8, 2018 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

1. Anthony Davis

The table is potentially being set for Anthony Davis to want out of New Orleans by the trade deadline if the team is underperforming in the tough Western Conference without DeMarcus Cousins.

To be fair, the Pelicans did perform well last season after Cousins went down by adding big pieces such as Nikola Mirotic. With former Lakers Julius Randle now serving as the team’s center, the Pelicans could simply hop on Davis’ back and make a lower seed in the NBA Playoffs.

However, that is the best-case scenario and the chances of the Pelicans really making it past the second round of the playoffs is very slim. Davis may realize that by the time the trade deadlines rolls around and demand a trade to a playoff contender.

With youth and contracts to trade, the Los Angeles Lakers would immediately be named one of the front-runners for a Davis deal. Granted, it would take a pretty hefty trade package that would have to require at least Brandon Ingram and some future draft picks.

Would it be worth it? Perhaps. If the Lakers can shed the contract of Luol Deng and the team knows they can get someone like Klay Thompson in the offseason I would do it.

Sure, it would come at the cost of Ingram and probably Kyle Kuzma, but the Lakers would be replacing Kuzma with Davis and Ingram with Thompson.

A super team trio consisting of Thompson, James and Davis would be lethal. Right now, it is all theoretical.

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