Lakers target against Davis may depend on willingness to negotiate Kuzma – Amico Hoops

As noted earlier, the Los Angeles Lakers are making progress in their talks with the New Orleans Pelicans, focused on a possible exchange Anthony Davis.

Here are several updates from an LA Times article co-authored by Tania Ganguli and Broderick Turner:

1. As I have already pointed out, the willingness of pelicans to trade Davis against the Lakers could depend on Kyle Kuzma. While the Lakers are open to negotiation Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram and the fourth final choice, Kuzma has become a franchise favorite by pretending to be "with the organization on the field and off, and the management does not want to negotiate the forward," the newspaper reported. LA Times.

2 The Lakers may have the opportunity to retain their fourth choice if they negotiate Kuzma. According to the LA Times, they are strongly leaning towards Darius Garland, a leader of Vanderbilt. Like Davis and LeBron James, Garland is represented by Rich Paul.

3 The change of direction of the pelicans of the former director general Dell Demps to the current chief of basketball operations David Griffin can benefit the Lakers in the last round of negotiations. Demps refused to negotiate with the former president of the Lakers Magic Johnson in good faith, and would not even speak with the GM Lakers Rob Pelinka. Griffin is much more open to reasonable communication.

4 No matter where Davis lands next, he will not sign an extension. Paul firmly stated that Davis would enter a free agency next summer when his contract expires. But the Lakers are clearly willing to mortgage the farm, believing that Davis would sign a long contract with them after the season.

5 If the Lakers and Pelicans reach an agreement and the fourth choice is involved, it is quite possible that the Pelicans use this choice to land another veteran player – instead of making another choice. Or they could exchange the choice to get down to the project. Cleveland, Atlanta, Boston and San Antonio are teams made up of several first-round players. But all this would require a prior exchange between the Pelicans and the Lakers.