Recent Lakers rumors have been about the contract situation surrounding Anthony Davis.
With the season almost at the halfway point, recent Lakers rumors have been about the trade deadline and the upcoming summer.
The Lakers made a big trade last summer to acquire Anthony Davis. While no extension was worked out after trading for him, the Lakers are under the impression that he isn’t going to be going anywhere.
However, due to the way the CBA is set up, it doesn’t make sense for Davis to take an extension now. Recently, Davis turned down the Lakers’ four-year max offer. Davis will be a free agent this summer, and while he is expected to re-sign, he might not take the five-year deal that will be available to him after the season.
Recently, Bill Oram of The Athletic reported that Davis might pass on the five-year deal in favor of a three-year extension instead. You can read what Oram had to say with a paid subscription to The Athletic.
By electing to sign a three-year deal with a player option rather than a five-year deal, Davis will be hitting free agency as a 10-year veteran in the summer of 2022. This will allow Davis to make even more for his next contract, as he can take up 35 percent of the salary cap.
By doing it this way, Davis gives himself some more options. With LeBron James not getting any younger, Davis might not want to lock himself into Los Angeles with potential uncertainty surrounding what James will be at that time. Also, this would be the right move for him financially barring a major injury.
Davis has certainly lived up to the big expectations since coming to Los Angeles. Hopefully, the contract talks won’t be a distraction for him or the team this season. With a chance to win a title this season, the Lakers certainly don’t need off the court distractions like they had to deal with last season.