NBA trade news: Lakers told of major Anthony Davis issue, Kevin Durant affected
THE LOS ANGELES LAKERS will be hoping to strike a deal in a trade for Anthony Davis this summer, but it could come at a huge cost.
Anthony Davis opens up about fan reaction after trade demand
That's according to ESPN's Bobby Marks, who reports trading for Davis would cut in to their cap space in chasing a free agent.
The Lakers created enough cap space to sign a max free agent last summer by moving on from Luol Deng's contract.
It means they can compete with other teams for the likes of Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard and Kyrie Irving among others.
All those players will command max contracts this summer, and the Lakers will be trying to convince at least one of them to join LeBron James and co.
But as well as chasing a marquee free agent, the Lakers are expected to try again to sign Davis.
The New Orleans Pelicans refused to buckle at the deadline amid intense rumours of the Lakers negotiating a deal for Davis.
It means the Lakers will now face heavy competition from the likes of the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks in a trade for Davis.
However, there might be another reason to put off the Lakers putting all their efforts into striking a deal for Davis.
Marks reports how trading for Davis would hamper their chances of signing a marquee free agent to a max contract.
“Because the Lakers are using cap space as a buffer, their room would be reduced from $36 million to $21 million," Marks wrote.
"Despite the eliminated max slot, the Lakers roster would consist of James, Davis, Josh Hart, Brandon Ingram, Moritz Wagner, Isaac Bonga and $27 million in room to build out the roster in free agency.
"That cap space would only increase to $30 million if James and Davis are all that’s left on the team.”
The first port of call though for the Lakers is to sort out their front office and new head coach.
Magic Johnson and Luke Walton both left their roles earlier this month, and the Lakers have already lined up interviews with Monty Williams, Tyronn Lue and Juwan Howard regarding the vacant head coach position.