Pelicans reportedly still not interested in making an Anthony Davis trade with Lakers

As soon as the Los Angeles Lakers had the No. 4 pick fall in their laps, thinking immediately shifted back to what that might mean for their trade scenarios and especially their chances at landing Anthony Davis.

On “The Jump,” Brian Windhorst of ESPN updated the situation, and according to him, Lakers fans might have to pump their breaks:

“From what I understand, the Pelicans are not interested in a deal with the Los Angeles Lakers. Maybe, had (L.A.) gotten the filet mignon — the Zion pick — but the Pelicans have the filet mignon, or the crawfish étouffée, or whatever you want to call it. The Lakers have a nice ribeye, but they don’t have the filet. So I think the Lakers are actually still out of position.”

Okay I would be remiss if I didn’t correct some very important flaws in thinking here: [clears throat] RIBEYE STEAKS ARE EXPONENTIALLY BETTER THAN FILETS AND ANYONE WHO THINKS DIFFERENT ONLY DO SO OUT OF INSANE MISINFORMATION.

Alright, with that out of the way.

New Orleans flatly not wanting to deal with the Lakers has always been the biggest concern regarding L.A.’s chances at landing Davis. Negotiations last season did not at all go well and very well could have left a bad enough taste left in their collective mouths as a result.

Still, I would find it hard to believe that David Griffin would take that job knowing what he has to do without some kind of promise that he would have full autonomy to make whatever deal he thinks is best for the team. If the Lakers are the team that make said offer, Griffin should be allowed to make it.

For example, Windhorst also claims that is it the New York Knicks who can make the best offer and highlights the No. 3 pick, Kevin Knox, Dennis Smith Jr., and Mitchell Robinson. No offense to Windhorst, but his evaluation of these young players is just as bad as his thoughts on steak. Knox was not good last season. Smith Jr. is a highlight machine, but has yet to prove much more than that. Robinson is definitely intriguing, but he is by no means on Brandon Ingram or Lonzo Ball’s level as a prospect even despite their injury concerns.

It remains to be seen whether Gayle Benson has dropped an edict on Griffin absolutely forbidding him to make a deal with the Lakers. If that’s the case, then, oh well. The Lakers have to move on. But if Griffin is allowed to make any offer he deems smartest for that franchise, then the Lakers’ one will be hard to pass up. Again.

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