"He’s late for everything, then he gets punished and then he starts showing up on time" - NBA insider questions Anthony Davis' health record, thinks Lakers should consider trading him

The last time Anthony Davis was healthy for large stretches of a season was in 2020, when the LA Lakers captured the title. Unfortunately, he hasn’t been consistently fit over the last two years, which is a huge reason why they haven’t performed up to standards.

The Lakers are reportedly adamant that they will not trade the eight-time All-Star amid talks involving Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. However, several analysts have urged the team to reconsider their stance due to Davis' injury record.

Colin Cowherd, on his podcast, pushed the team to move Davis. He said:

“Anthony Davis, there’s always that guy who’s late to everything, it’s a narcissism thing that I’m more important than you. He’s late for everything, then he gets punished and then he starts showing up on time, briefly.”

Cowherd added:

“But who he is is a habitually late guy. We know who Anthony Davis is.”

He continued:

“AD, to prove a point, is gonna have a great first half and you move him at the deadline. You know he will not, off a great year, come back next offseason in great shape. He’s a habitually late guy.”

Even when he’s healthy, Davis may not be good enough to help LeBron James carry the LA Lakers to another title. The Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks and Memphis Grizzlies currently look more formidable than the Tinseltown unit.

The Lakers, as presently constructed, may not have enough firepower to topple the defending champion, the Golden State Warriors. Golden State, in addition to its existing strength, will also have a healthy James Wiseman at the start of next season.

Dallas and Memphis, on paper at least, are likely to once again be contenders in the West.

LA has retooled the supporting cast around Davis, LeBron James and Russell Westbrook. They are now younger and more athletic, but unless they solve Westbrook’s role in the team, they may be doomed to another mediocre season.

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Anthony Davis is working on his game

Anthony Davis has been eagerly working on his shooting mechanics in the offseason. [Photo: Firstpost]

A few weeks after getting criticized for admitting he hadn’t touched a basketball since his last game with the Lakers, Davis is hooping again. He has been working out with Chris Matthews, known as "Lethal Shooter," to iron out the kinks in his jump shot.

Davis’ 3-point shooting has regressed over the last four years. Last season, it dropped to 18.6%, which added to the Lakers’ problems.

New head coach Darvin Ham called Davis the key to the LA Lakers’ success next season. Kevin Garnett, meanwhile, believes Davis can be an MVP-level player when healthy and engaged.