For teams across the NBA, the New Orleans Pelicans sweepstakes for Anthony Davis appeared to be an inevitable march to the Los Angeles Lakers. In a lot of ways, the Lakers were negotiating against themselves because of the events of the past six months: Davis’ trade request, the botched trade saga between the two teams in late January and early February, and a depressed market for Davis now.



Davis is one of the NBA’s top players, an All-NBA star who should help turn the Lakers into playoff contenders and perhaps more should the front office make the proper and prudent signings in free agency. Davis requested a trade from the Pelicans in January and, even as Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations David Griffin attempted to convince Davis to commit to a future in New Orleans, his stance remained unchanged throughout the past six months, as The Athletic consistently reported on draft lottery night and beyond.



Once Davis and his agent Rich Paul met...