This is a top 5-7 player in the league, in his absolute prime. There is no comparison to be had with a deal involving two guys in their mid thirties.
The #4 pick this year is the best asset New Orleans got in this deal. All but one of the other picks are coming while Davis is still under contract after he signs his extension. Basically, you're hoping for an injury to Davis to make those truly valuable.
To be clear - I highly doubt he was going to do any better than this if the Celtics were bullied out of bidding. But I also doubt we're going to look back in 7 years and be wowed with how that draft haul turned out. It would require the Lakers continuing to be the Knicks West for numerous years when it comes to putting players around Davis. They have two mega stars for this year, it's hard to screw that up in this league to the point that you're missing the playoffs.
Davis is really good, but a lot can happen in even 4 years, especially to an injury prone player and particularly bigs, who often lose it fast.
Just looking back, there was another dominant big, more dominant than AD, a staple in the 1st team All-NBA and often a top 5 MVP vote getter through his mid 20s.... Dwight Howard., he was essentially done as a star player before age 30. Melo was a staple of the All-NBA teams, he was in a big market.... he was on some of the worst teams in the league as he transitioned into his 30s, Yao Ming broke his foot, done at 28, Paul Pierce in the dead center of his prime was on 2 teams that got high lottery picks, I'm sure there are more examples. Generally, the point is that 1 great player doesn't often mean much in terms of team success, and that's before really getting into injury possibilities.
I know the paints not dry, but would New Orleans care for the 2019 #22 pick for one of those future Laker picks? Hopefully, Griffin feels Danny gave the Lakers enough concern to make them pay up. David owes the C's for playing along!
I agree with those that believe NOLA did a good job here. With Rich Paul guaranteeing that AD was going to free agency/Lakers in 2020, Griffin had little leverage. That future draft haul is massive for 1 season of AD
also, Griffin can go scorched earth for 1-2 seasons (with the idea of having an ascending playoff team 5-6 seasons thereafter):
1. deal Ball for pick #7 or 8
2. deal Jrue for future pick/young controllable player (to a team that loses out in '19 FA)
3. deal E'twaun Moore (not a bad bench piece for a contender that strikes out in '19 FA)
4. let Ingram start the season as the #1 or 2 scoring option w/ the idea of dealing him by Dec'19
4. be a dumping ground for expiring deals plus picks (ala Nets)
5. full tank mode in 2019-20, while the fans get familiar with Zion and kids
They'll have the ability to sign 2 max guys next off-season or thereafter when Zion, youngsters, picks start to ripen.
There is zero chance they trade a future unprotected for 22, c'mon man, they probably wouldn't trade it for 5, in fact word is they are getting out of the #4.
1. I think they should trade Ball, but not sure they trade back into this draft given most people see it as flat and weak,
2. I bet that they keep him, they really like him, and having a good vet, and particularly a good PG can be really valuable in developing a star like Zion.
3. Depends on what they think the timeline is, maybe they hold him to see what Zion looks like, since they'll need shooting and he provides that
4. Not sure this works, if he plays well, why not sign him? He fits the timeline great, if he's not good, who would trade for him?
4 v.2- Strong agree
5. I think they should play the young guys, but given the flat lottery odds, no need to do anything crazy, just get guys reps and build good habits