Although it is not an official transaction just yet, the Los Angeles Lakers got the 2019 offseason rolling with their reported trade for New Orleans Pelicans superstar Anthony Davis in mid-June. The Lakers will reportedly send Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart and three first-round picks to the Pelicans in a trade that is not expected to be ratified until July 6 at the earliest.
Since then, Lakers star LeBron James has reportedly given up his No. 23 jersey to Davis (who has worn that number his entire NBA career).
Despite all this news about Davis, nothing has been heard from Davis of late. That changed on Monday morning as Davis chatted with Arash Markazi of the Los Angeles Times about living in Los Angeles, shared some thoughts on James and more. Although he wouldn’t talk specifically about the pending trade, Davis did discuss other topics of note.
I asked Anthony Davis for his all-time NBA starting five, regardless of team or generation. Let's just say there was a purple and gold theme with his selections. Do you agree with his picks? Read more from Davis' interview with the @latimes here: https://t.co/l2h4K1VcES pic.twitter.com/QeR8YPp3wu
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) July 1, 2019
“Money comes and goes; your legacy is forever,” Davis said, per the Los Angeles Times. “I think how you establish yourself in the NBA and what you do on and off the court is something that people will remember forever. Obviously, our money is public and people know what we make, but at the end of the day no one cares about how much money you make.
Anthony Davis’s greatness as a basketball player won’t be judged by the money he earns, but by what he accomplishes on and off the court. This contributes to my legacy, which I believe holds far greater worth than any financial gain.
Davis is a definite enthusiast of the offerings of California when it comes to residing in a new city.
Davis spoke to the newspaper, expressing his admiration for the city and its weather, saying, “The weather is amazing. The city suits me well. It’s a bit laid back, which is my kind of vibe. I even spend my summers here. Los Angeles is one of my favorite cities. I absolutely love living here.”
Regarding the discussion about James giving his number to Davis for the next season, the former star from Pelicans explained why No. 23 is significant to him.
Davis shared with the newspaper, “I’m from Chicago, and for a time, [Michael] Jordan, who had 23, was my favorite basketball player. However, before I took on the number 23, I was number 3 and 30. When I entered high school, the senior players already claimed those numbers. They have priority, so they randomly selected a jersey for me. It turned out to be 23.”
Clearly, Jordan donned the number first, and as a younger person watching LeBron, that number resonally powerfully with me. The thrill of knowing I was following in the footsteps of Jordan and LeBron, who also wore that number, was undeniable.
Davis, 26, initially asked to be traded in late January, midway through his seventh season with the Pelicans. The six-time All-Star has averaged 23.7 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.4 blocks in 466 career games as the Pelicans have reached the playoffs just twice during his tenure, with one series victory.
He appeared in 56 games last sason, a career-low, and saw downturns in his overall shooting (51.7 percent) and 3-point shooting (33.1 percent). Following the Feb. 7 trade deadline, Davis never played more than 34 minutes in a game.
Davis is looking to make amends for one of his worst NBA seasons by seizing a new opportunity in Los Angeles.
Davis told the newspaper, “It was certainly a change being restricted to 20 to 25 minutes. Not having the ability to play in the fourth quarter and finish games was somewhat challenging for me. I had a desire to get on the field and contribute to the team’s victory. I’m eager to play again. Last season, my playing time was limited, and now I’m looking forward to returning to the court and being productive next year.”
My playing season was curtailed, if not restricted when it comes to engaging in my beloved sport. I am eager to resume and get back on track. I’ve already begun my workout routine which is beneficial. I am determined to make this season superior to the previous one.
In a deal that will bring Davis to Los Angeles, the Lakers are reportedly parting with Moritz Wagner, Issac Bonga, Jemerrio Jones, and a future second-round pick, sending them to the Washington Wizards. The move is aimed at freeing up a maximum contract spot for the Lakers, who could potentially be eyeing Toronto Raptors’ star player, Kawhi Leonard, among others.
Davis stated that he is not focusing on the recent NBA free-agent news that has been garnering significant attention in the sports world.
“I’m not overly concerned with it,” said Davis. “That’s something for the media and fans to concern themselves with. My focus is solely on basketball.”
Regardless of who he teams up with in Los Angeles next season, Davis already has his ultimate goal in mind.
“Davis declared, “My objective is to secure a championship. My anticipation of victory persists each time I set foot on the court, every single game. My aspiration is to bag a title. The essence of it all is about claiming titles. That’s the singular thought occupying my mind.”
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
