The Los Angeles Lakers' trade package for New Orleans Pelicans star Anthony Davis will likely "have to start with" Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, Ivica Zubac and a first-round pick, according to the Los Angeles Times' Broderick Turner and Tania Ganguli.
That said, it is now being reported that Ball isn't interested in playing for the Pelicans and would prefer to be moved to a third team that doesn't have an established point guard. Of course, the Lakers and Pelicans aren't at all obligated to meet the 21-year old point guard's request.
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Ball, who grew up in California and played his college ball at UCLA, was selected second overall by the Lakers in the 2017 NBA Draft.
He's currently averaging 9.9 points per game to go along with 5.4 assists and 5.3 rebounds, although he remains sidelined with an ankle sprain that could keep him out of action until March.
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ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the Lakers are really pushing to get a deal done for Davis prior to the league's February 7 trade deadline. However, the Pelicans stated that they'll operate on their own timeline and any deal "will not be dictated by those outside of our organization."
In fact, New Orleans would be wise to wait until this Summer to move Davis because that's when the Boston Celtics would be eligible to put together an offer that includes several young players as well as multiple first round draft picks.
Per ESPN:
"Davis' declaration on wanting out now gives teams other than the Boston Celtics a head start in pursuing trades for him. Restricted by the Rose Rule, Boston cannot trade for Davis until July 1 because league rules wouldn't allow Kyrie Irving's and Davis' contracts under the provision on the roster together. The designated rookie exception allows players coming off their rookie-scale contracts to earn 30 percent of the salary cap rather than 25 percent if they meet certain criteria."
