Thunder News: Sam Presti Urged to Pursue Anthony Davis Trade & Sacrifice Future for NBA Championship

The Los Angeles Lakers are trying to rebuild their team, the first step of which involved firing Darvim Ham. The Lakers have now reportedly signed JJ Redick as their new coach. Now the Oklahoma City Thunder’s director general Sam Presti is being urged to have a deal with the Lakers.

Celebrated sports media personality Colin Cowherd has pointed out a change that could benefit both the Lakers and Thunder. The move involves trading Anthony Davis to the Thunder. Cowherd’s suggestion has blown away the fans.

Oklahoma City Thunder needs the experience of Anthony Davis

Cowherd was at The Herd with Colin Cowherd on Fox Sports Radio when he suggested trading Davis. “What is an organization with a ton of draft capital, a bunch of good young platters which the Lakers have nobody in their prime except AD and it’s a late prime,” Cowherd said.

According to Cowherd, the Lakers should try to bring in some young talent. That would be possible if they separate LeBron James from Davis and trade the latter to the Oklahoma Thunder. Cowherd reckons the Thunder have many young players but lack the girth and stability that comes with experience.

“They (Oklahoma City Thunder) don’t have enough girth. They’re not good enough on the glass. They got plenty of wings, SGA… And you’re not winning a championship with a bunch of young players. Anthony Davis with Chet Holmgren, with Luguentz Dort, with an SGA is an immediately,” Cowherd added.

Cowherd thinks that in return for Davis, the Lakers can have Jalen Williams, Cason Wallace, and the first 4 draft picks. Davis has been with James since 2019 and the duo have blended well. However, despite having such a star power, the Lakers lost in the conference quarterfinals to the Denver Nuggets by a 4-1 tally. Going by the Lakers’ performances recently, one may infer they need some agility in their squad.

Meanwhile, the Thunder have young guns in Chet Holmgren and Luguentz Dort who are 22 and 25 respectively, but lack the star power and experience that might come with Davis. Furthermore, the Thunder got Alex Caruso in a trade with the Chicago Bull on June 21 which, if added with Davis, can fulfill their dream of clinching the NBA Championship. However, the reports suggest the Davis deal could only be a distant dream for Thunder.

Can the Thunder fulfill their dream of acquiring Davis?

The Lakers recently appointed JJ Redick as their new coach. He signed a four-year deal with the Lakers. And a major part of choosing him revolved around strategizing the next roles for LeBron James and Anthony Davis who are the star power for the Lakers. As per the NBA reporter Shams Charania, Redick will use Davis during crucial moments of the games, reducing the burden on James.

This could be effective for the Lakers since James is already on the verge of his retirement and the Lakers need to train another leader who can be Davis. But then it would wash away all the hopes of trade for the Oklahoma City Thunder, who are searching for a mature talent.

Whether the Oklahoma City Thunder successfully trades Davis in remains to be seen, but fans will always wish that Davis plays alongside James as the two have formed a blasting partnership at the highest level.