LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Lakers informed the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday they are pulling of trade talks for star Anthony Davis, the Los Angeles Times reported. But Lakers’ president of basketball operations Magic Johnson still wants the Pelicans to start making counteroffers and will listen to them, according to league sources at ESPN.
Johnson told New Orleans general manager Dell Demps that the Lakers had made their best offer, the Times reported, citing a source not authorized the speak about the issue.
According to Times’ sources, the Lakers had modified their offer to the Pelicans and were willing to trade Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Ivica Zubac to the Pelicans. In addition, they had agreed to part with two first-round draft picks and to take Solomon Hill and his $12.7 million contract along with Davis.
“They wanted more and more and more,” a source told the Times. “There was no more to give. They had cap-relief with Hill being in the deal. But the more they wanted, the more it became outrageous and unrealistic.”
Johnson and Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka insist they’ll add nothing more to a deal without Demps showing an increased engagement with the Lakers, league sources told ESPN.
Both the Times and ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported the Pelicans were asking for eight draft picks. Wojnarowski identified those as four first-round and four second-round picks.
But Wojnarowski cautioned Johnson will listen if New Orleans makes a counteroffer.
“If Pelicans want to counter the Lakers most recent offer on Davis, Magic Johnson and (general manager) Rob Pelinka are obviously anxious to find a pathway for a trade,” Wojnarowski tweeted. “This is a negotiation tactic on behalf of Lakers, who have wanted New Orleans to show more initiative in the process.”
Davis’ agent last week said Davis would not be re-signing with New Orleans and requested a trade. Davis is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent in July 2020, so the Pelicans do not need to rush into a trade.
In the meantime, Davis has recovered from a finger injury, but the Pelicans’ front office reportedly ordered the All-Star big man to sit out as rumors swirled ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline.
Yahoo Sports reported Tuesday that Davis, 25, could sit until Thursday’s 3 p.m. ET trade deadline passes.
New Orleans is scheduled to play Wednesday night in Chicago. Davis sustained a left finger avulsion on Jan. 18, but said Friday in his first public comments since demanding a trade that it was “time to move on.”
Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry told the media on Monday that Davis had been given the OK to practice but that activating him wasn’t his call to make.
Davis said he wants to get back on the court.
“My intentions are to play,” he said. “I’ve been working to get my finger back healthy. Obviously, it’s a tough situation, but my intention is to still play and when I’m able to play, I plan on suiting up.”
In 41 games this season, Davis is averaging 29.3 points, 13.3 rebounds and 4.4 assists.
In addition to the Lakers, ESPN reported Davis would also entertain signing a contract extension with the Los Angeles Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks, and New York Knicks.
LAKERS ACQUIRE BULLOCK FROM PISTONS
Amid rumors surrounding the Lakers’ pursuit of star big man Anthony Davis, Los Angeles reportedly is adding a guard.
The Detroit Pistons are sending veteran guard Reggie Bullock to the Lakers in exchange for rookie guard Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk and a draft pick, multiple media outlets reported Tuesday night.
According to The Undefeated’s Marc Spears, the Pistons will get a second-round selection in the deal.
Bullock, 27, would be heading back to Los Angeles. He played his first 1 1/2 pro seasons with the Clippers, who made him a first-round draft pick (No. 25 overall) out of North Carolina in 2013.
Bullock spent a partial season with the Phoenix Suns after he was part of the three-team deal that sent Austin Rivers to the Clippers. In July 2015, Phoenix dealt him to Detroit, along with Danny Granger and Marcus Morris, in exchange for a 2020 second-round draft pick.
In 44 games this season, Bullock is averaging 12.1 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists. He had 19 points and seven rebounds Tuesday in the Pistons’ 105-92 road win over the New York Knicks.
Mykhailiuk, 21, is averaging 3.3 points, 0.9 rebounds and 0.8 assists in 39 games for the Lakers. Los Angeles selected the Ukraine native in the second round last year (No. 47 overall) out of Kansas. — Reuters
