Odds Are Against Anthony Davis and LeBron James Joining Forces in LA
- Anthony Davis officially signed with agent Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group over the weekend
- Will Davis demand a trade to the Lakers to join fellow Paul client LeBron James?
- Which other NBA All-Stars will join LeBron in 2019?
Anthony Davis will enter the 2018-19 NBA season with several new teammates and a brand new agent. The five-time All-Star officially signed with Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group over the weekend, bringing him one degree closer to fellow Paul client LeBron James.
Welcome to the Family @AntDavis23!!!!! #Klutch ✊??? https://t.co/secLjwl8oU
— LeBron James (@KingJames) September 23, 2018
The pairing has sparked league-wide speculation that Davis could be on the move to LA as early as next summer if the Pelicans under perform, or if the 6’10” big man grows disenchanted with the franchise.
It certainly wouldn’t be the first time an All-Star switched agents before forcing his way out of New Orleans. Chris Paul provided a blueprint for how to flee NOLA back in 2010 when he signed with LeBron’s former agent, Leon Rose, and later orchestrated a blockbuster trade to the Los Angeles Clippers.
Will Davis follow a similar path to the City of Angels, or is his sudden change of allegiance more about business than basketball?
Will Anthony Davis Join the Lakers in 2019-20?
| Yes | No |
|---|---|
| 3/1 | 1/3 |
We hate to burst your bubble, Lakers fans, but the Brow is bayou-bound for the foreseeable future. Davis went out of his way during Media Day to put aside any doubt about his future.
Anthony Davis says his reason for changing agents was a necessary move for him and that’s all it was. Just wants to be most dominant player in the league.
Adds that he never even knew the history of CP3 changing agents before leaving New Orleans via trade. pic.twitter.com/3G62p6nxn8
— Chris Hagan (@ChrisHaganTV) September 24, 2018
Davis’ comments are easy to swallow since he’s never wavered in his dedication to the Pelicans. The 25-year-old has been the face of the franchise since being drafted first over all in 2012, and has consistently gone out of his way to be an ambassador for the team, on and off the court. Davis has won the NBA Community Assist Award multiple times for his tireless work in NOLA, and can frequently be seen at charitable events in and around the Big Easy.
New Orleans can offer Davis a five-year, $235 million super max contract as soon as he’s eligible for an extension next summer.
Davis is also still under contract with the Pelicans for two more years and has a HUGE financial incentive for sticking around. New Orleans can offer him a five-year, $235 million super max contract as soon as he’s eligible for an extension next summer. That’s nearly $80 million than any other team in the league.
Pelicans fans can sleep easy tonight knowing that players change agents all the time without changing teams. Look no further than Davis’ teammate, Jrue Holiday, who changed agents in September 2016 before re-upping with New Orleans the following season for five years and $125 million.
At this point, Davis is no more likely to jump ship than other high profile Klutch clients like John Wall or Ben Simmons, both of whom are firmly entrenched with their current teams.
Although Davis isn’t likely like to bolt, there are plenty of other players who would give an arm and a leg to team up with LeBron. We’ve included some of the biggest names from the free agent class of 2019 below and have listed their odds of joining the Lakers.
Odds Other All-Stars Will Join the Lakers in 2019-20
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Klay Thompson | 3/2 |
| DeMarcus Cousins | 2/1 |
| Kevin Durant | 5/2 |
| Kawhi Leonard | 3/1 |
| Kyrie Irving | 25/1 |
The Lakers badly need outside shooting, and few players fit the bill better than Klay Thompson. The three-time NBA champion is a lifetime .422 shooter from beyond the arc whose very presence stretches defenses to their breaking point. His defection would instantly upgrade the Lakers while also dealing a lethal blow to the Warriors’ championship aspirations.
Thompson’s defection would instantly upgrade the Lakers while also dealing a lethal blow to the Warriors’ championship aspirations.
LA’s interest in Thompson is obvious, but there are plenty of reasons why Thompson may be interested in the Lakers as well. For starters, LA can offer him up to $38 million a year, which is $20 million more than he’s presently earning in Golden State. Thompson may also want to fulfil a childhood dream by playing for the same franchise that his father, Mychal, suited up for from 1986-1991.
There are many reasons why Thompson may consider staying with the Warriors, but there are many million more why he’ll end up with the Lakers.
Ryan worked as an Editor and resident Lead NBA and MLB Writer for SB from 2017-19. He has authored his own weekly columns for Fox Sports and AskMen, and has created successful campaigns for the WWE, the NHL, and the NFL. Ryan's critically acclaimed stories have been published in 20 books.
