One NBA writer is proposing that the Los Angeles Lakers trade Anthony Davis to the Boston Celtics for Jaylen Brown and Robert Williams in a massive blockbuster trade. Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report proposed the following wild trade idea between the Lakers and Celtics:
The Trade: Lakers trade Anthony Davis to the Celtics for Jaylen Brown and Robert Williams III
“After signing a (historic) max extension this offseason, Davis, 30, can’t be dealt during the upcoming campaign,” Buckley wrote in his latest NBA trade column. “But if both L.A. and Boston fall short of expectations this season, maybe the storied rivals could come together on a blockbuster swap next summer. It’s possible Brown, 26, never reaches the level of stardom Davis has already hit—hence the inclusion of Williams, a dominant defender with his own injury issues—but the former is younger and more durable.
“Those traits could matter to the Lakers, who might need a sturdier foundation for their post-LeBron James era than the oft-injured Davis can provide.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Anthony Davis, Robert Williams, Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Davis is one of the best players in the NBA. The only thing preventing him from competing for the MVP Award is his body, as Davis hasn’t been able to stay healthy since helping the Lakers win the 2020 championship. The eight-time All-Star has suffered multiple lower-body injuries.
Davis signed a three-year, $186 million extension with the Lakers this offseason. The Chicago native is committed to Los Angeles for five more years and approximately $270.5 million. Davis’ extension, which kicks in for the 2025-26 season, is the richest extension in NBA history with a projected average annual value of $62 million.
Davis averaged 25.9 points, 12.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.0 blocks last season in 56 games. The 30-year-old finished the 2023 playoffs averaging 22.6 points, 14.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.4 steals and 3.1 blocks in 16 games versus the Memphis Grizzlies, Golden State Warriors and Denver Nuggets. The Lakers got swept by the Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals.
Brown signed a five-year, $304 million supermax extension with the Celtics this summer. He averaged 26.6 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists last season. Brown was eligible to sign a designated veteran extension because he made an All-NBA team last season.
Brown is slated to make $52.3 million when his new contract kicks in during the 2024-25 season and $69.1 million in 2028-29, the final year of the deal. He was not eligible for a no-trade clause because he signed an extension with the Celtics, who lost to the Miami Heat in the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Anthony Davis, Robert Williams, Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Finally, Williams averaged 8.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.4 blocks for the Celtics last season in 35 games. He shot 74.7% from the field and 61.0% from the foul line.
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