LeBron James waited months for this.
Ad on da way!!
LeBron James and Anthony Davis
NBAE/Getty Images
Why finally, after the Lakers and Pelicans pulled the trigger on an Anthony Davis trade Saturday night.
Let’s get it bro! Just the beginning #LakeShow, James also wrote on Instagram, accompanying a photo illustration of the two in purple and gold.
Los Angeles sent a glut of young talent — Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart and three first-round picks, including the No.4 pick in Thursday’s NBA draft — in exchange for Davis, though the deal won’t become official until the new league year begins July 6.
The move capped off months of speculation as to where Davis would land before hitting free agency next summer. Rich Paul, the agent of both Davis and James, made it clear last week the Lakers (and Knicks) were atop their list of destinations. James wasn’t shy about his dream to play with Davis last season, which set off an NBA anti-tampering memo across the league.
But the Lakers and New Orleans couldn’t agree to terms after Davis requested a trade in February, and a lot has happened since: Magic Johnson, who accused the Pelicans of leaking the initial trade talk, abruptly stepped down as Lakers president. New Orleans fired GM Dell Demps, then stunningly won the rights to select Zion Williamson with the top pick in this year’s draft.
And the Lakers missed the playoffs for a sixth straight season, a streak now expected to be broken.