The Pelicans reportedly want the Lakers to keep bidding against themselves for Anthony Davis, and it could lead to an unprecedented haul
- The New Orleans Pelicans want a monster offer from the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis that includes young players and as many as four first- and second-round picks, according to a report.
- The trade negotiations have reportedly been one-sided, and a recent report said the Pelicans want the Lakers to bid against themselves to land Davis before the trade deadline.
- The Lakers are motivated to trade for Davis before the trade deadline, because in the offseason, the top suitors for Davis, the Boston Celtics, can make a trade offer.
- That could force the Lakers to give up the type of monster package for Davis that has been lacking in recent superstar trades.
If the Los Angeles Lakers want to land Anthony Davis, they may have to make a historic offer to the New Orleans Pelicans.
According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Pelicans want an overwhelming return for Davis that includes young players and as many as four first-round and second-round draft picks. The Pelicans want a player they deem as All-NBA-worthy or with the potential to make an All-NBA team in the future, according to Wojnarowski.
Wojnarowski reported on Monday that the Lakers made the Pelicans an offer based around Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, Brandon Ingram, and two future first-round picks. That represents a step up from the Lakers' original proposal, which reportedly included two of Ball, Kuzma, and Ingram, plus picks.
It still might not be enough, however. Wojnarowski reported that the trade discussions have been one-sided and said on ESPN's "Get Up!" on Tuesday that the Pelicans are content to let the Lakers bid against themselves.
"The Pelicans haven't even countered any of the Lakers offers yet," Wojnarowski said. "And, in fact, I'm told the Pelicans would like for the Lakers to just keep bidding against themselves."
The Lakers are motivated to get a deal done before Thursday's trade deadline. The Boston Celtics, the team widely regarded as being able to make the Pelicans the best offer, cannot trade for Davis this season, due to an obscure CBA rule.
However, if the Pelicans don't trade Davis by the deadline, it could be bad news for the Lakers. By extending the window into the spring and summer, the Pelicans could field offers from the Celtics and teams who could offer high draft picks.
That could force the Lakers into bending to the Pelicans' will and giving up a historic package that features multiple first- and second-round draft picks three or four of their young players, plus veterans to match salaries. The Lakers would have to take back several Pelicans players to fill out their roster, as well.
Such a return for Davis would be welcomed news to teams around the NBA. With star players increasingly exerting their power on franchises, asking for trades with the threat of leaving in free agency, teams have been forced to scramble to get value back for their departing players, all while negotiating from a weakened position.
In many recent cases, the returns for departing star players have ranged from 'meh' too bad. Teams have struggled to get both draft picks and young players who turn out to be good.
Read more: The NBA's recent history of trading superstars is a bad omen for the Pelicans
While most players aren't Anthony Davis, if the Pelicans can get a healthy return of young players and draft picks, it could shift the market going forward.
The Pelicans are in a position to keep the Lakers sweating, too. As Jalen Rose noted on "Get Up!", the Pelicans could argue that they don't need to make a deal now because the Lakers' package likely won't change in three or four months - the same players and picks would be there. The Pelicans could threaten to hold onto Davis so they can open up discussions with other teams in the offseason, then return to the Lakers offer if they want.
There is a risk in that, too. With each day, Davis gets closer to free agency. The Pelicans could see the quality of offers dwindle in the offseason if teams feel there's too much risk in Davis leaving in free agency in 2020. Even the Celtics could reduce their offer if they are worried about Kyrie Irving's future in Boston.
Read more: Anthony Davis' league-shaking trade request has thrown a wrench in the Celtics' master plan
With the deadline just two days away, it increasingly feels like the Pelicans and Lakers could engage in a staring contest, waiting for either team to blink. The Lakers will have to analyze just how much they want to mortgage their future to get Davis now, and the Pelicans will have to test how far to push the Lakers or risk losing an already-giant offer.