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

By Jason Reed

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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Los Angeles Lakers Brandon Ingram
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

3. Brandon Ingram has to sign a contract extension next summer

The only way this deal would be possible next summer is if the Los Angeles Lakers can agree to a contract extension with Brandon Ingram to match the salary of Anthony Davis. The Lakers have no in-between contracts to trade after this summer and will only have the contracts of LeBron James and the rest of the young core.

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However, it lines up perfectly for the Lakers, who are allowed to agree to an extension with Brandon Ingram after his third full NBA season. This obviously would have to be agreed to with the premise of being a sign and trade and it would give Ingram a big payday much sooner than he would get otherwise.

The Lakers would be allowed to sign Ingram to an extension that is worth up to 25 percent of the salary cap. Going up to the 25 percent threshold would put Ingram right around Davis’ $27 million cap hit for the 2019-2020 season.

At that point, the Lakers could even throw in small contract, such as Moritz Wagner, if needed to serve as another promising piece and to even out the money.

This would be a smart move for the Lakers, who could sign Klay Thompson prior to the extension, then extend Ingram, utilizing his Bird Rights and dish him to New Orleans for Davis.

That is the absolute best-case scenario but there is a way for the Lakers to bring in both Davis and Thompson next summer. While it would take Ingram, Wagner and at least two draft picks for Davis, that is a team that could contend for years to come.

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Getting Davis is practically impossible next summer without offering an extension to Brandon Ingram. Luckily, the window of opportunity lines up perfectly.

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