Now that The Finals are over, we are all longing for something interesting in sports to happen over the summer.  Yeah there’s baseball, the Women’s World Cup, and the Track & Field World Championships, but the most interesting part of the summer is NBA free agency and the draft.  And today, the Los Angeles Lakers put their own stamp on the NBA off-season by making the much-anticipated deal for AD, Anthony Davis.  Yes, Anthony Davis is a Laker.  The deal won’t be official until July 1st, but the Lakeshow looks like their going all in on next season.

With the injuries to KD and Klay Thompson during The Finals it looks like the western conference is up for grabs.  The Rockets, Blazers and Nuggets will be in the mix, but the Lakers have put themselves in the fray as well.  The only concern is did L.A. give up too much to get their 2nd superstar?  Initial reports indicate that the Lakers will send Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, and Josh Hart, along with 3 first round picks to New Orleans in exchange for Davis.  New Orleans wanted Kyle Kuzma as well, but the Lakers were able to keep him in the fold.

From my perspective, both teams HAD to make this move.  Davis didn’t want to be in New Orleans any longer, and the Lakers did not want to waste another year of Lebron’s time in L.A.  Many would argue that the Lakers gave up too much.  But you have to give in order to receive.  Many remember the ill-fated deals for Dwight Howard and Steve Nash which mortgaged the future of the Lakers and helped to begin the 6 year playoff drought that the team is currently mired in.  But if you look at the situation, it does not compare.  Davis is in his prime, whereas Howard was coming off of a back injury and Nash was at the end of his career.  From a draft perspective, while L.A. had the #4 pick, this draft was only 3 “difference makers” deep.  After Zion Williamson, Ja Morant, and RJ Barrett, there was a hodge-podge of potential, but no one expected to be able to take an NBA team to the next level.

The draft is still to come, and free agency doesn’t begin until July 1st.  With $32.5 million in cap space, the Lakeshow can still be a big player.  They now have 2 all-stars, can they come up with a 3rd to make a legitimate run at a title?  They are now in need of a legitimate point guard, could Kemba Walker be next?  Or do they put all their chips in to try to lure Kawhi away from The North?  After winning the first NBA title for a team outside the U.S. I can’t see The Klaw leaving, but we shall see.  It’s gonna be an interesting and busy summer.