Los Angeles Lakers: What needs to happen for an Anthony Davis trade

NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 10: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts in the first round of overtime against the Brooklyn Nets during their game at Barclays Center on February 10, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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 Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 10: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts in the first round of overtime against the Brooklyn Nets during their game at Barclays Center on February 10, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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 Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

1. Brandon Ingram blossoms into an all-star

Brandon Ingram does not have to literally make the NBA All-Star Team next season for this trade to go down. However, the third-year forward is going to have to make that jump from promising young talent to a player that legitimately looks like he is going to be a star in this league.

All signs are pointing to Ingram making that leap as well. His numbers last season were a huge leap from his rookie year numbers and he should be on the brink of scoring 20 points on a nightly basis.

The way he can score off-ball, as well as the way he can control the ball and be a playmaker, is very promising for his future progression. While he may never be Kevin Durant, who he is often compared to, he can be a multiple time all-star in this league.

It has to be Ingram that makes this jump because out of the entire young core he is the most likely piece to be traded. Kyle Kuzma fits in nicely at power forward alongside LeBron and has served as the talking head of the Lakers’ young core.

Lonzo Ball might not be as popular with the fan base but he is going to blossom into a special point guard and trading him would leave the team with virtually no point guard next year.

Ingram is expendable as moving him allows LeBron to play the three, Kuzma to start at the four and Davis to start at the five.