Los Angeles Lakers: A trade with the Pelicans and Magic that works

The Los Angeles Lakers could be on the brink of a massive three-team trade that would make them the favorites to win the NBA Championship.

The Los Angeles Lakers are going to eventually add a second star. Everyone knows that and it will not be a surprise when that move is eventually made.

One of the biggest stars connected to the Lakers is Anthony Davis, who really began to spark discussions when he left his old agent to be represented by Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group; the same agency that represents LeBron James.

Davis would be a great fit alongside James and could play either the four or the five. Not only is he a great fit, but he is also so good that the Lakers would not need to add a third star in order to contend. The duo of LeBron and Davis could be one of the most talented of all-time.

A potential straight up deal for Davis is unclear. However, it is now being reported by Brandon Robinson that the Lakers and Pelicans could be exploring a three-team deal with the Orlando Magic.

Robinson also stated that a league source told him that if the two sides were to make a straight-up deal then Lonzo Ball would be included. And while it likely will take two young stars, the Lakers can probably make this trade happen without sending Lonzo.

Keep in mind that nothing can happen until Dec. 15, when the players that the Lakers signed in the offseason can be traded. This is important to keep in note.

Here is our ideal three-team trade that actually works out on the ESPN Trade Machine.

There is a lot to dive into here.

First of all, this deal makes sense for the Los Angeles Lakers as they would land Anthony Davis. You might be wondering: why don’t the Lakers just make the trade for Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Ivica Zubac without including the Orlando Magic?

Let me explain.

If the New Orleans Pelicans are going to trade Anthony Davis then the team is going to want to strip everything down. That means creating cap space in the future to build around Ingram, Kuzma and Julius Randle, which means parting ways with Jrue Holiday and his four-year contract.

Thus, it makes sense to include a team like the Magic, who could really use an experienced point guard that can average 20 and 10 a night. Imagine Holiday on the court with Nikola Vucevic and Mohamed Bamba.

The Pelicans are getting a ton in this deal. The most notable pieces are Ingram and Kuzma. Ross and Caldwell-Pope are on expiring contracts and Mozgov’s contract will expire after next season. This would create enough cap space to either chase a star in the future or extend Ingram and Kuzma if they evolve into stars.

This is the perfect way for the Pelicans to hit the hard-reset button, the perfect way for the Magic to turn 75 cents into a dollar and the perfect way for the Los Angeles Lakers to add a superstar.

Every team gets what they need and the Los Angeles Lakers would boast a starting five of Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, LeBron James, Anthony Davis and JaVale McGee.

Los Angeles would get thinner but would still have a bench consisting of Rajon Rondo, Lance Stephenson, Michael Beasley, Tyson Chandler, Moritz Wagner and potentially Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk. While that team is not as deep, the bench still is not bad and the starting five is phenomenal.