ESPN radio host claims Anthony Davis 'wants to return to the Lakers'

While the Los Angeles Lakers are 8-2 right now, they have a couple of roster holes in terms of becoming true championship contenders. They need a serviceable backup center, they need a productive starting forward and they need a true third scoring option. One ESPN radio talk show host in the Southland said that perhaps the Lakers can have an option in a star who helped lead them to their last NBA title. Scott Kaplan said on ESPN 710 L.A.'s "Sedano & Kap" that he heard Anthony Davis wants to come back to the Lakers. “They (fellow reporters) don’t realize I’m listening and I’m hearing what they’re saying,” Kaplan said. “[One of them said], ‘I hear that Anthony Davis wants to return to the Lakers.’… I know who these people are. I think they’re credentialed. I think they know what they’re talking about. They assume I have no idea. … We always talk about another big man for the Lakers.” Davis, of course, was traded to the Dallas Mavericks in February 2025 for Luka Doncic. The big man was then traded to the Washington Wizards midway through last season. So far this season, he's averaging 23.4 points on 50% shooting, 9.3 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 1.1 blocks a game for a talented but struggling Wizards team. The one thing above all that would prevent a reunion from happening is Davis' contract, which will pay him $58.46 million this season. The Lakers would practically have to gut their roster for Davis, who is 33 years of age and has always been injury-prone. Doing so simply wouldn't make sense. Davis does have a player option for next season, so hypothetically, he could turn down an extension offer, become a free agent next summer and then join the Lakers on a low-cost contract. But that still seems very unlikely, although, as the old saying goes, stranger things have happened. In a vacuum, as a short-term solution, he could give the Lakers a major third (or even second) scoring option, effectively guard opposing players at any position, help on the boards and bring championship experience. He could also serve as an excellent backup center when Walker Kessler is resting.