Lakers trade rumors aren’t limited to Russell Westbrook anymore.
The Lakers’ season is already looking bleak after a 2-8 start, which has stirred trade buzz surrounding big man Anthony Davis.
Since the summer, the majority of trade rumors coming out of Los Angeles have centered around Westbrook. However, Davis could be the Lakers’ “plan B” if the team continues to struggle, according to Bill Simmons of The Ringer.
“There’s some buzz, some buzzing that AD might be available,” Simmons said Monday on his podcast. “That that’s a plan B because the Westbrook trade, or whatever they think they can get for Westbrook and whether you want to give up future assets, maybe that doesn’t even make sense ’cause what are you getting if you’re the Lakers?
“We’ve got Davis here, who I don’t think has looked the same for a couple years, certainly not close to bubble Davis (2020). That’s the last time we saw vintage 2018 [New Orleans] Pelicans-level Davis.”
Davis is still producing at high level, averaging 22.5 points, 11.1 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game. However, the big man, who’s been prone to injury throughout his career, is moving noticeably slower and less fluid. He has also struggled with his shooting, particularly from outside, causing former NBA player Channing Frye to recently deem the Lakers’ struggles “92 percent” Davis’ fault.
Simmons, along with NBA reporter Kevin O’Connor, who was a guest on his podcast, speculated that the Knicks would make the most sense as a possible trade destination for Davis. They deemed Davis an upgrade over Julius Randle, and the Knicks currently has the fourth most future first-round draft picks in the league.
After this year’s draft, Knicks president Leon Rose said the team now has a total of 22 picks — 11 in the first round, and 11 in the second round — over the next seven years. The thought is that the Knicks could give the Lakers draft capital and a ticket to a rebuild around LeBron James, while acquiring a star to pair with its young core.
Simmons’ comments came Sunday night, sandwiched between losses to the Cavaliers and Jazz. The 139-116 loss in Utah marked the third straight loss for the Lakers, who were without James due to discomfort in his left foot.
Davis led Los Angeles with 29 points on 11-for-18 shooting, followed by Westbrook, who added 22 points off the bench. The All-Star center was limited on defense after dealing with early foul trouble.
“S–t, 2-8 is a hard pill for me to swallow,” Davis said postgame. “Obviously, it can change around… We’ve got to put it together. Offense has found its rhythm. It seems like we’ve lost all our defensive intensity. And that’s what’s killing us.”
Prior to the start of the season, James said that the Lakers would focus on defense. That appeared to take a backseat when the 37-year-old called out the team for its lack of shooting last month.
Davis is shooting 52.9 percent from the floor, and just 28.6 percent from 3-point range — the third straight season he’s been under 30 percent from deep.
“The Lakers are very much putting feelers out there, trust me… There will be some movement I think in the near future,” Rob Perez said on his “Load Mismanagement” show on Monday, without naming names.
The Lakers are looking to bounce back from a season ago when they finished 11th in the Western Conference at 33-49 and missed the playoffs while also allowing the third-most points per game (115.1) in the NBA.
