Unbelievable! Pelicans’ 7-for-1 Trade Proposal for Anthony Davis? Another Outrageous NBA Trade Scenario

The NBA rumor mill never seems to disappoint, and this latest proposal involving the Los Angeles Lakers and New Orleans Pelicans has left many fans in disbelief. According to Sports Illustrated reporter Kirschenbaum, if the Lakers fail to meet expectations during the 2024-25 season, the team might consider rebuilding under the guidance of new head coach J.J. Redick. The eyebrow-raising suggestion involved sending superstar Anthony Davis back to his former team, the Pelicans, in exchange for Brandon Ingram, rookie Jordan Hawkins, four first-round picks, and one first-round pick swap.

This trade proposal had some fans rolling with laughter, leading to jokes that the reporter must have received a "thank you" check from the Pelicans. After all, shipping off Ingram, whom the Pelicans have reportedly been looking to move for a while, and securing a player of Davis’ caliber seems like a masterstroke for New Orleans. And while those four first-rounders and a pick swap may sweeten the pot, the idea of such a trade happening anytime soon seems far-fetched for the Lakers.

Let’s dive into why this trade is highly unlikely and why the Lakers are more likely to stick with Davis, even as LeBron James nears the end of his career.

Anthony Davis: Still the Lakers’ Centerpiece

Any notion that the Lakers would move on from Anthony Davis right now seems impractical. After all, Davis is expected to be the franchise’s cornerstone once LeBron James eventually hangs up his jersey, which could happen in the next two to three years. Moving Davis in the middle of this transition would leave the Lakers without a legitimate superstar, a scenario the team would likely want to avoid at all costs.

The reality is that both of the Lakers’ superstars, Davis and James, are incredibly unlikely to be traded, but for different reasons. LeBron signed a two-year extension this summer worth $104 million, which includes a no-trade clause. This means James essentially controls his own destiny in the league. If anyone moves, it won’t be because the Lakers decided to rebuild but because LeBron himself requested it.

Meanwhile, Davis has shed the "glass man" label that plagued him earlier in his career. Last season, he played in a career-high 76 games, averaging 24.7 points, 12.6 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game during the regular season. His playoff performance was even more impressive, with averages of 27.8 points and 15.6 rebounds. For Lakers’ management, a player of this caliber is not someone they can easily part with—especially given his critical role once LeBron retires.

The idea of a "rebuild" is not foreign to Lakers fans. They witnessed a similar phase following Kobe Bryant’s final years, most notably during the 2015-16 season, when the franchise pivoted after Bryant’s legendary career came to a close. However, any legitimate rebuild is likely to wait until LeBron officially retires. In the meantime, Davis is expected to carry the torch for the next chapter of Lakers basketball.

Would the Pelicans Really Want Anthony Davis Back?

Perhaps the most curious part of this trade proposal is the notion of New Orleans bringing back Anthony Davis, especially given the circumstances of his departure just a few years ago. Davis famously forced his way out of New Orleans, and while the Pelicans have since rebuilt around younger stars like Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, the idea of reacquiring Davis raises plenty of questions.

Could Davis and Zion Williamson work together? On paper, the idea of pairing two former No. 1 overall picks who possess immense athleticism and talent in the frontcourt sounds exciting. Both players have the potential to be game-changers on both ends of the floor. However, Davis has expressed a preference for not playing the center position full-time, which could cause a lineup imbalance. Zion, who stands just 6’6" (about 1.98m), is not suited to be a full-time center either. This would likely force Davis into the center spot, a role he has reluctantly filled for the Lakers.

From a chemistry standpoint, it's hard to predict how well the two superstars would fit. Zion is a dominant force in the paint, and adding another interior-focused player like Davis might create spacing issues. Additionally, both players have struggled with injuries throughout their careers, and relying on them to stay healthy might be a risky proposition for the Pelicans.

Nevertheless, New Orleans does have the draft capital to make a compelling offer. The team owns a wealth of first-round picks from various past trades, and they could certainly afford to part with some of these assets to land a superstar like Davis. However, even if they were willing to offer Brandon Ingram, Jordan Hawkins, and four first-rounders, would the Lakers even entertain the deal?

The Lakers Aren’t Rebuilding Anytime Soon

Contrary to what some reports suggest, the Lakers have little reason to blow things up at this moment. Despite a disappointing end to last season, the team is still very much in win-now mode. LeBron James, while nearing the end of his career, remains one of the best players in the league. Anthony Davis, when healthy, is a dominant force on both ends of the floor.

As mentioned earlier, trading LeBron is virtually impossible because of his no-trade clause. Even if he were to waive it, it’s unlikely that any team would offer enough in return to make the Lakers consider moving him. The only scenario where LeBron would leave is if he requests a trade to play with his son, Bronny, once the young James enters the NBA.

That leaves Anthony Davis as the more realistic trade target. But the Lakers have no reason to deal their All-NBA big man at this point. In fact, Davis’ role in the future of the franchise has only grown in importance. Once LeBron retires, Davis will be expected to lead the Lakers into the next era. Trading him now would derail that plan and send the franchise into an uncertain rebuild—a path they are clearly not ready to take just yet.

Could a Davis-Zion Frontcourt Work?

As much as fans love to speculate, the idea of Anthony Davis returning to the Pelicans and pairing with Zion Williamson is filled with logistical challenges. While both players are immensely talented, there’s a question of fit.

Zion thrives in the paint, using his explosive athleticism to overpower defenders and finish at the rim. Davis, despite being a versatile scorer, also does much of his damage inside and has repeatedly voiced his preference for playing power forward rather than center. If Davis were to play alongside Zion, he would likely be forced into the center position full-time, which he has been reluctant to do throughout his career.

In addition to positional issues, both players have had durability concerns. Davis has missed significant time due to various injuries throughout his career, and Zion, despite his incredible potential, has been plagued by health problems as well. Building a team around two injury-prone big men is a risky strategy, and it’s unclear whether this tandem could stay healthy enough to lead a deep playoff run.

What’s Next for the Lakers?

For now, it seems highly unlikely that the Lakers will entertain any serious offers for Anthony Davis. The team’s immediate focus remains on contending for championships during the final years of LeBron’s career. Even though the prospect of a blockbuster trade involving Davis might be tantalizing for some, the Lakers are far more likely to stick with their current core and aim for another title run.

If the day comes when the Lakers decide to rebuild, it will probably be after LeBron retires, not before. In the meantime, the team will continue to rely on Davis to anchor their defense and provide the kind of star power that’s necessary to compete in the NBA.

The idea of a Davis trade to the Pelicans is fun to speculate about, but at this point, it's little more than a fantasy. As Lakers fans continue to enjoy the twilight of LeBron’s career, they can rest assured knowing that Anthony Davis is here to stay—for now.