Photo Credit: Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times

Magic Johnson Thinks The Los Angeles Lakers May Need To Trade Anthony Davis If He Can’t Stay Healthy

The Los Angeles Lakers, who were supposed to be competing among the league’s best teams, are now facing an uphill battle to occupy a spot in the playoffs. They are two games back of the last play-in spot in the conference, having a record of 31-47 as the 11^th seed. 

As it stands, there are many factors that have put the Lakers in this situation, one of which being Anthony Davis’ health. The 29-year old big man has a long injury history, and this year alone, his injury problems have caused him to miss 39 games for Los Angeles. 

Davis has averaged 23.2 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game on 53.2% shooting from the field this season. Though he’s been great when healthy, his constant unavailability has many people wondering whether the Lakers should consider trading him in the immediate future. 

Lakers Hall of Famer Magic Johnson, who closely follows the team, has weighed in on the topic. Appearing on ESPN’s Get Up, Johnson thinks the Lakers may have to trade Davis if he fails to stay healthy in the long run.

“AD, you gotta change whatever it is,” Johnson said. “You gotta stay healthy. Or the Lakers gotta say, after next season, if you don’t stay healthy, they gotta look at you and say, ‘Maybe you should be somewhere else.’ Because they need you on the court, not in your clothes sitting on the bench. So I think he’s gotta change some things.”

“Maybe you (AD) should be somewhere else”

The Lakers Brain trust ladies and gentleman. Oh Boy…#BurnItDown #SellTheTeam pic.twitter.com/73RPyPHjmk

— AJ ™ (@LosLakersNation) April 4, 2022