The Los Angeles Lakers remain open to a potential trade. The latest proposal to come along brings the Anthony Davis trade full circle.
As far as blockbuster trades are concerned, an argument could be made that no move has been more significant over the past five years than the Los Angeles Lakers acquiring Anthony Davis. In the immediate aftermath of trading for Davis, Los Angeles ended a seven-year postseason drought and won their first championship in 10 years.
For as clearly as the ends justified the means, many fans continue to wonder what could’ve been had the Lakers adjusted their approach to acquiring Davis in 2019.
The trade for Davis was one of the most costly in recent memory. Los Angeles effectively parted with the entirety of its young core, sending former first-round draft picks Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, and Brandon Ingram, as well as three future first-round selections, to the New Orleans Pelicans.
The dust has finally settled on the Davis trade, but that hasn’t stopped those around the NBA from asking what would happen if the two sides were to revisit it one last time.
Recent rumors and speculation surrounding Ingram have made that outcome a possibility. Formerly selected at No. 2 overall by the Lakers in the 2016 NBA Draft, he’s gone from the potential franchise player in Los Angeles to an All-Star with the Pelicans.
With Ingram and the Pelicans facing the harsh reality that they might need to part ways in the near future, however, the wheels are turning on a reunion in Los Angeles.
The Rumor
Ingram is entering the final season of his current contract with the Pelicans. As such, trade speculation was inevitable. What few expected to follow, however, was a report that would make his potential departure far more likely.
Shams Charania of The Athletic reported in July that the trade market for Ingram had dried up after two teams that had interest, the Sacramento Kings and San Antonio Spurs, spent their money elsewhere. That would’ve been intriguing enough on its own.
What made the possibility of Ingram returning to Los Angeles even more realistic was the other piece of information in Charania’s report: New Orleans is only considering a trade because they’re unwilling to meet his asking price for an extension.
“Both sides have remained open to a future together, but Ingram’s desire for a high-priced extension has meant the Pelicans must at least maintain dialogue with him and his representatives on whether he stays in New Orleans or moves elsewhere.”
In other words: New Orleans is staring down the legitimate possibility that Ingram could leave in free agency, and may be willing to trade him to prevent losing him for nothing.
Enter the Lakers.
The Trade
Greg Swarz of Bleacher Report has proposed a trade that would see the Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans Pelicans, and Portland Trail Blazers all aspire to improve. The outcome would be an influx of proven talent on each roster, as well as a former lottery pick headed to New Orleans.
Most pertinent to the Lakers is the departure of Rui Hachimura, D’Angelo Russell, Christian Wood, and two second-round draft picks—and the arrival of Brandon Ingram. Los Angeles Lakers Receive Brandon Ingram
New Orleans Pelicans Receive Anfernee Simons Robert Williams III Christian Wood Portland Trail Blazers Receive Rui Hachimura Jordan Hawkins D’Angelo Russell 2025 Second-Round Draft Pick (via Clippers) and 2025 Second-Round Draft Pick (via Lakers)
The rights to the Los Angeles Clippers’ 2025 second-round draft pick is currently owned by the Lakers.
New Orleans would be adding a borderline All-Star guard in Anfernee Simons to back up or even potentially replace one of CJ McCollum or Dejounte Murray. It would also be shoring up its interior depth with rim protector Robert Williams III and a proven scorer in Wood.
Portland would be building a bigger and more balanced perimeter by adding 6’8″ forward Hachimura and 6’5″ shooting guard Jordan Hawkins.
New Orleans would create space for either Herbert Jones or Trey Murphy III to start at small forward, while potentially avoiding having to start a rookie, Yves Missi, at center. Portland would add Hachimura in a role that would make trading Jerami Grant a more manageable endeavor.
As for Los Angeles, this is as simple as replacing two expiring contracts and a quality starter with an All-Star who has averaged 23.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 1.8 three-point field goals made per game since 2019-20.
As far as balanced trades are concerned, this checks the boxes from an incoming and outgoing talent perspective.
The Grade
This would be a genuine dream scenario for the Los Angeles Lakers. D’Angelo Russell and Christian Wood are on expiring contracts, Brandon Ingram would offer an upgrade over Rui Hachimura, and the Lakers would only have to part with second-round draft compensation.
It’s fair to question if New Orleans would part with Ingram for anything less than a first-round draft pick, but from the Lakers’ perspective, this is an A-plus trade.
Lakers acquire Brandon Ingram for Rui Hachimura, D’Angelo Russell, Christian Wood
A+
Losing Hachimura stings, but the Lakers are making this trade to upgrade at his position. Ingram would become the instant starter, if not one of the franchise players, while Dalton Knecht and Jarred Vanderbilt would still be around to provide depth at forward.
With the trio of Anthony Davis, Ingram, and LeBron James leading a roster that would still have Knecht, Austin Reaves, Vanderbilt, and Gabe Vincent on it, the Lakers could contend immediately.
The question mark facing Los Angeles in this scenario is how they plan to compensate for the loss of Russell. For all that’s been said about him, he’s one of the best shooters in the NBA, and the Lakers lack ideal depth at the point guard position.
The most likely outcome in that scenario would be for Reaves and Vincent to play the 1, with Jalen Hood-Schifino’s development and Ingram’s facilitating becoming priorities.
No matter how the rest of the trade plays out, the Lakers would be adding an All-Star for a more than reasonable cost. Los Angeles can extend Ingram during the season or re-sign him next summer, but even if it doesn’t work out, two of the three lost assets would be on expiring contracts.
Parting with Hachimura would sting, but in return, the Lakers would be getting an All-Star in their prime. It’s a phenomenal trade for Los Angeles.