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Lakers Rumors: Potential third teams in Lakers-Pelicans trade

By Jason Reed

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 21: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans is defended by Kyle Kuzma #0, Lonzo Ball #2 and Ivica Zubac #40 of the Los Angeles Lakers during a 112-104 Laker win at Staples Center on December 21, 2018 in Los Angeles, 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 Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 21: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans is defended by Kyle Kuzma #0, Lonzo Ball #2 and Ivica Zubac #40 of the Los Angeles Lakers during a 112-104 Laker win at Staples Center on December 21, 2018 in Los Angeles, 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 Harry How/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers Rumors
(Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers Rumors /

The biggest Los Angeles Lakers rumors since LeBron James are flooding the NBA as Anthony Davis has requested a trade from the New Orleans Pelicans.

There have been so many Los Angeles Lakers rumors since Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka took over the ship. The team cashed out on LeBron James, missed out on Paul George and Kawhi Leonard and have since transitioned to an even bigger star.

Anthony Davis.

The Lakers rumors around Anthony Davis have been prevalent before the 2018-2019 season even began. Davis switched agencies to Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group, the same agency that represents LeBron James. Once that happened, the speculation spiraled.

The speculation has now come full circle as Paul notified the New Orleans Pelicans that Davis would not sign the supermax extension and that Davis prefers a trade.

Of course, the Pelicans do not have to trade Davis, Davis has no real choice until his contract is up. However, the NBA is such a player-driven league that stars can make these requests, prompting the teams to at least get something out of Davis via trade rather than let him walk for free.

The best part of the Lakers? Davis reportedly prefers to go to Los Angeles and won’t sign an extension elsewhere. Any other NBA team that knows this might not offer as much for Davis, whereas the Lakers have the comfort of knowing it is a long-term commitment, not a year and a half commitment.

Regardless, the Lakers cannot sit by and rely on that. The same was said for Paul George, who ended up signing an extension with the Oklahoma City Thunder after falling in love with OKC.

Thus, a trade seems imminent and the young core of Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram and Kyle Kuzma are all on the hot seat. Ball, though, reportedly prefers to be dealt to a third team to play point guard as the Pelicans already have Jrue Holiday at the point.

If we are being honest, Ball can easily play the point and Holiday can play the two. However, if the Pelicans can include a third team and get a different young asset or established star, it might make more sense.

Here are three candidates to be the third team in a potential Lakers-Pelicans trade.

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