Optimism reigns in Davis’ first Lakers appearance
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Anthony Davis’ year of uncertainty finally felt finished when he stood in the Los Angeles Lakers’ training complex on Saturday and proudly held up his new gold jersey while Lebron James looked on approvingly.
After months of upheaval around his departure from New Orleans, the superstar forward is looking forward to years of success and stability on the West Coast.
Sure, Davis knows the Lakers have been rarely stable in recent years, and championships are the only success this franchise understands. But the six-time All-star can’t wait for the challenge of winning big in the Hollywood spotlight.
“The most difficult part for me was just not knowing,” Davis said. “When it was announced that I was being traded, I don’t want to say it was a relief, (but) it was something that I’d thought about for a long time. Obviously it was tough to leave the city I’d been playing in for seven years, but I think it was best for me.”
He added: “To be here with a wonderful organization, and then to be able to play alongside Lebron and the players that we have now ... and play for an organization that’s all about winning, and winning championships, and that’s the only goal, I think that was the biggest thing for me.”
The Lakers formally acquired Davis this month in one of the biggest moves of the NBA’S tumultuous offseason, but this courtship has been happening for much longer. Davis became determined to leave the New Orleans Pelicans last season, and Los Angeles made an in-season run at him before eagerly blowing up its young core to get a second game-changing star to play alongside James.
Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka introduced Davis as “the most dominant young basketball player in the world.”
“There is no more complete basketball player in the game,” Pelinka said. “There is nothing he can’t do.”
The Lakers gave up Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart and a slew of draft picks to land Davis one year before he could become an unrestricted free agent. Pelinka clearly expects Davis to sign a long-term deal to stay with the Lakers, but Davis didn’t make a declaration of his intentions.
“Right now, my focus is on this year, and trying to help this organization become a championship team,” Davis said.
Basketball-loving Los Angeles is still buzzing after its two teams were turned into immediate contenders during free agency, but they’re hardly alone in a league that might have achieved a measure of parity after years of Golden State dominance.
While Kawhi Leonard and Paul George landed with the Clippers, Davis and James are confident about the future for the 16-time NBA champions, who are exponentially more beloved in their hometown than their local rivals. Davis has lived in Los Angeles during the offseason for several years, and he loves everything about it — except the traffic.
“It’s going to be fun,” Davis said of the new-look league with its new crop of superstar pairings. “I’m excited about it. I think the league has grown. I think it’s better. (With) all the players teaming up and spreading that talent throughout the league, it’s going to be a fun season.
“I like our roster. I like every player that we have, from one through 14.”
The Lakers have gone a team-record six consecutive seasons out of the playoffs, but Davis and James expect to end that drought in the year ahead.
They’re aiming for much more, too.
“I know we’ll talk about it and do whatever we can to definitely make this team a championship team next season,” Davis said, before correcting himself: “This season.”