Some within the Pelicans reportedly prefer to trade Anthony Davis to a team other than the Lakers

In exactly 15 days, the Los Angeles Lakers are expected to find out whether or not New Orleans Pelicans star Anthony Davis will be suiting up in the purple and gold next season.

The Lakers have the assets to put together a competitive trade package for the 26-year-old All-Star heading into the 2019 NBA Draft, especially after they landed the No. 4 pick at last month’s lottery, but the large belief is still that some members of the Pelicans’ organization are reluctant to move Davis to Los Angeles, according to Ian Begley of Sportsnet New York:

The Lakers are expected to be in the mix for Davis as well. Though, as other reports have noted, some people in positions of influence in New Orleans continue to prefer to deal Davis to a team other than the Lakers, per SNY sources.

This is hardly breaking news, but the fact that this type of stuff is still coming out weeks before the draft is a little discouraging for the Lakers.

While Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin’s job is ultimately to make the best deal for his team, it seems as though the only way Davis is traded to the Lakers is if their offer is miles better than what other teams are offering. In other words, if the Lakers want Davis, they’re likely going to have to overpay.

If that means including three first-round picks instead of two on top of a package that includes Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma and Josh Hart, then so be it.

However, if the Pelicans are expecting the same package that they were offered leading up to February’s trade deadline, it would probably be in the Lakers’ best interest to walk away from the table.

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