Sources: Pelicans to Trade Anthony Davis to Lakers

Several people familiar with the situation say the New Orleans Pelicans have agreed to trade six-time All-Star Anthony Davis to the Los Angeles Lakers for point guard Lonzo Ball, forward Brandon Ingram, shooting guard Josh Hart and three first-round draft choices.

The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the trade cannot become official until the new league year begins July 6. ESPN first reported the trade.

The deal pairs the 26-year-old Davis, who is among the game’s biggest stars, with 34-year-old superstar LeBron James. It also gives the Pelicans promising young players and the opportunity to acquire more.

New Orleans has the first pick overall in Thursday’s draft and will have the Lakers’ fourth overall choice.

It remains to be seen, however, how well Ingram will recover from a blood clot that sidelined him for part of last season.

Davis, who had requested a trade to the Lakers in January, will join James in Los Angeles to create one of the most powerful duos in the NBA. Davis has previously stated his intention to sign a new contract with the Lakers once he becomes eligible for free agency in 2020.

Davis is a 6-foot-10 forward who also plays center, shoots with range, runs the floor, blocks shots and can handle the ball. He has averaged 23.7 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.4 blocks during his career. But in seven seasons in New Orleans his Pelicans teams made the playoffs just twice and won one series against Portland two seasons ago.

Davis’ trade request and the Lakers’ scramble to trade for him loomed large over James’ first season in California. Negotiations between the two teams quickly filtered to the media, as the Lakers’ young players saw themselves being shopped around by their front office.

Discomfort was heightened by the fact that James and Davis share an agent. The fallout prompted the resignation of president of basketball operations Magic Johnson, along with the ensuing managerial drama.

The team failed to qualify for the NBA playoffs for sixth consecutive year, and entered this off-season with the intention of pairing James with Davis, as well as with other big-name free agents on the market.