Everyone knows that LeBron James has been actively recruiting players to come play for the Los Angeles Lakers. It appears, however, that he is no longer alone in this task.
ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne reports that Anthony Davis has been quite preoccupied with helping James in filling out the team’s roster this summer.
“I’ve certainly heard that he’s been busy with the text messages and phone calls already …”
– Shelburne on Anthony Davis
Ramona added “… you have two recruiters now. It’s not just LeBron.”
— The Lakers Review (@TheLakersReview) June 24, 2019
Anthony Irwin of SB Nation transcribed Shelburne’s insider info on “The Hoop Collective” podcast.
“Anthony Davis, we don’t know how he is as a recruiter, but I’ve certainly heard that he’s been busy with the text messages and phone calls already,” Shelburne said. “This was what, last Saturday that this went through? So you have two recruiters now. It’s not just LeBron, it’s Anthony Davis, who hasn’t really ever been in a market or situation where his pull mattered, but we’re about to find out, and I think it’s an interesting referendum on who wants to play with LeBron, but also who wants to come play with Anthony Davis and LeBron.
“In Cleveland, the fact that [James] was able to move those two guys so quickly with just a phone call speaks volumes with how he was regarded in the league at that time, and how the opportunity to play there alongside him was regarded at the time. That was what, five, six years ago now? So let’s see. Let’s see where we are. Things have changed, and situations have changed.”
The trade that brought Davis to Hollywood last week decimated the Lakers roster, leaving it with barely enough players to field on a practice court.
The New Orleans Pelicans received three of their key players — Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram and Josh Hart as well as several draft picks. As one of the league’s premier players, Davis has influence and could help the team sign another top free agent this summer.
Whether that’s Kyrie Irving, who has been reported as someone who wants to play with him, Jimmy Butler, Kawhi Leonard, Khris Middleton or Tobias Harris, any help that Davis can give in completing a Lakers triumvirate of stars is most welcome.
