During ESPN’s Mock Draft Special, Senior NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski stated that it’s his belief that beyond current New Orleans Pelicans forward/center Anthony Davis most free agents aren’t targeting the Los Angeles Lakers as a preferred destination for their future.
ESPN’s Woj – “If the #Lakers are drafting at No. 4 on draft night, they're in trouble because that means they didn't make an Anthony Davis trade done… Right now, they are not a frontrunner or even really a major consideration among any of the elite free agents.” #Pelicans pic.twitter.com/qVmbjs54sU
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) June 12, 2019
Anthony Davis, who is not set to enter free agency until 2020, has inserted himself into this summer’s NBA drama by way of the trade request he submitted to the Pelicans back in January. The Athletic‘s Shams Charania has gone on record to state that Davis’ focus for his long-term future has been narrowed onto the Los Angeles Lakers and the New York Knicks.
“Davis is now focused on the Lakers and Knicks as the two desired long-term destinations, league sources told The Athletic. Davis has not given Griffin or the Pelicans a new formal list. He will be a free agent in 2020.
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In LA, the Lakers have LeBron James and would provide an opportunity for Davis to be the face of the franchise in his prime.
Another of the major free agents this summer is Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant, who suffered what an achilles injury in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. Despite this, David Aldridge of The Athletic has stated that the Lakers are to be among the teams who will aggressively pursue Durant regardless of the time he will need to recover from his injury.
