With the NBA trade deadline approaching, Anthony Davis is stepping into the spotlight, urging the Los Angeles Lakers to pursue another big man.
This isn’t unexpected, as Davis has consistently shown a preference for playing the power forward position rather than center.
What is surprising, however, is that Davis is now vocalizing his desire for a trade, placing pressure on the Lakers’ management.
In recent seasons, LeBron James has been the primary spokesperson for the franchise, often influencing significant decisions. His involvement was evident when the Lakers traded away key players from their 2020 championship roster to acquire Russell Westbrook in 2021. After that move faltered, James expressed his dissatisfaction ahead of the 2023 trade deadline, even dismissing questions about Kyrie Irving’s potential impact on the team. The Lakers ultimately traded Westbrook and brought in six new players, which helped them reach the Western Conference Finals that year.
Currently, the Lakers sit in fifth place, and with just a few adjustments, they could become serious contenders. Davis has taken it upon himself to nudge general manager Rob Pelinka, making his case during a television interview.
“I think we need another big,” Davis stated during his ESPN interview. “I feel like I’ve always been at my best when I’ve been the four.”
This moment signifies a pivotal shift in leadership from James to Davis.
As James approaches 40, he has consistently indicated that the Lakers are now Davis’ team. Davis has embraced this role on the court, showcasing MVP-caliber performance with averages of 25.9 points, 52.4 percent shooting, 11.9 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 2.2 blocks per game.
However, stepping into the role of team spokesperson is a new experience for Davis.
(Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Following a brief pause in the season due to wildfires in Los Angeles, Davis addressed the media after a game against the San Antonio Spurs on January 13, while James remained silent that evening.
As the trade deadline nears, Davis has become increasingly vocal about the team’s requirements.
He recently expressed his acceptance of being “the guy” for the Lakers.
“I just know in order for us to do something we’ve talked about in previous years and this year, that in order for us to reach the promised land, I have to play how I’m playing now,” Davis explained to FOX Sports. “It’s never been a conversation with me and [LeBron] where it’s like, ‘Hey, this is your team and I’m giving you the keys or whatever.’ It’s just been something that we’ve just played off of each other. And it just happened.”
Davis feels a pressing need to secure another championship, especially since James has acknowledged he won’t be playing much longer, likely only one or two more seasons.
With the February 6 trade deadline approaching, Davis intensified his remarks, reiterating his views after the Lakers’ recent victory over the Boston Celtics.
These statements mark a significant change for Davis, now in his sixth season with the Lakers. Previously, he often deferred to James when it came to team politics. Now, he is taking a proactive stance.
The Lakers’ next steps remain uncertain. Will they trade their first-round picks to acquire another star player? Will they opt for a smaller move using their second-round picks? Or will they choose to maintain their current roster, as they did last year?
James has recently stated that the Lakers must play nearly flawless basketball to succeed with their current lineup. “We don’t have room for error,” he remarked.
This challenge is significant, especially in the highly competitive Western Conference, where ten teams have winning records.
Pelinka has already made a move this season, trading D’Angelo Russell, Maxwell Lewis, and three second-round picks to the Brooklyn Nets for Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton.
“Can we win a championship right now?” James questioned. “No, I don’t think so. But that’s good because we have so much room for improvement.”
In light of Davis’ expressed need for another big man, Dwight Howard quickly offered his services via social media, stating, “It ain’t that hard to find a center.” Howard was part of the Lakers’ championship squad in 2020 and last played overseas in Taiwan during the 2022-23 season.
The Lakers are currently on a hot streak, having won five of their last six games. This success puts pressure on Pelinka to make strategic moves to solidify their championship aspirations. However, such decisions could impact the team’s long-term future after James retires.
Davis has made his desires clear.
He seeks immediate adjustments to the roster, aiming to position himself and James for another championship run.
“We always want to have a championship mindset,” Davis concluded. “We always want it to be attainable.”
Through this, he is demonstrating his readiness to take on a leadership role within the franchise.
