The Cleveland Cavaliers came within inches of making the NBA playoffs for the first time since LeBron James‘ second departure, and they have a young and promising team in place.
However, it doesn’t mean they should stand pat by any means.
There are several stars and superstars who, according to rumors, could be on the trading block this summer.
One of them is Los Angeles Lakers big man Anthony Davis.
He is one of the game’s most skilled and unique players, and he is also the proud owner of an NBA championship ring.
The Lakers, in all likelihood, will not even consider trading him, but if they do, should the Cavs try to get him?
Davis Would Be A Game-changer
Even though he is listed at 6-foot-10, Davis has the skills and agility of a player several inches shorter.
He can attack the hoop and finish strong, he can hit perimeter shots and he can also break guys off the dribble and elude defenders in order to create his own shot.
Davis can even bring the ball upcourt and run the fast break like a point guard.
Yet, as a big man like him should, he is also a terrific rebounder and one of the league’s best rim protectors.
When the Lakers won the world championship in 2020, Davis averaged 26.1 points on 50.3 percent shooting, 9.3 rebounds and 2.3 blocked shots a game.
In the playoffs, he stepped up and put up 27.7 points on 57.1 percent accuracy (including 38.3 percent from 3-point range) and 9.7 rebounds per game.
Davis is also fleet of foot and can easily cover ground, whether he’s running the floor like a gazelle or rotating over on defense.
Anthony Davis dominating the 2020 NBA Finals on both ends 😤
In terms of his ability when healthy? This is arguably a top five PF to ever play the game when speaking attributes, defense, skill and versatility. All about strength training for him this summer.
🎥 @DawkinsMTA pic.twitter.com/inizthY1V2
— Ball Don't Stop (@balldontstop) June 12, 2022
In addition to blocking shots, he can switch onto defenders who play multiple positions and give them problems.
A frontcourt duo of Davis and Evan Mobley could own the paint at both ends of the floor and terrorize opponents on a regular basis.
But…
The main knock against Davis is that he is injury-prone.
Although it is a bit overblown, he has missed lots of games the last two seasons.
Last year (2020-21), he suffered a calf strain and Achilles tendonosis that cost him two months of action.
In the first round of the playoffs versus the Phoenix Suns, he strained his groin in Game 4 and missed virtually the rest of the series, which single-handedly swung it in the Suns’ favor.
This season, a sprained MCL and sprained foot resulted in him playing in just 40 contests.
On the other hand, Davis played in 62 of a possible 71 games in the 2019-20 season, and in 75 of a possible 82 games in 2017 and 2018.
He could very well suffer another major injury (or two) this coming season, but he could also play in almost every game.
If the Lakers refuse to trade him, that is the risk they will be taking, and if they do trade him, that is the risk his new team would be taking.
But all of this seems moot, as Darvin Ham, L.A.’s new head coach, is acting like Davis will definitely be on his team this fall.
He said that Davis will be the “key” to their hopes.
Darvin Ham calls Anthony Davis "the key" to the Lakers getting back to a championship level. Emphasized the defensive side of the ball
— Ryan Ward (@RyanWardLA) June 6, 2022
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