Anthony Davis has the power to leave this upcoming offseason but will ultimately re-sign with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Anthony Davis has been a dream come true for Los Angeles Lakers fans this season. But looming over that is his pending free agency this offseason. If one thinks logically, there is no sensible reason why Davis should or will leave the Purple and Gold anytime soon
Soon after LeBron James took his talents to Venice Beach for the 2018-19 NBA season, the rumors started about Anthony Davis forcing his way to the Lakers via a trade.
They really got hot at midseason when the Lakers and New Orleans Pelicans seemed to be publicly negotiating trade terms in the mass media.
With his option to opt-out of his contract in the summer of 2020, Davis gave the Pelicans no choice, and they traded him to the Lakers after all last July.
The price was high, many thought: Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart and several first-round draft picks. The naysayers opined that L.A. had given up two future perennial All-Stars in Ball and Ingram, plus their ability to replenish their roster through the draft.
But to move up to the next level, you have to give something up.
So far, the trade has paid off. Davis has averaged 26.7 points, 9.4 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 2.6 blocks per game. With much more national exposure, the general NBA audience is starting to fully appreciate the Chicago, Ill. native as a uniquely-skilled big man.
But one has to admit the Lakers took a small risk because of Davis’ 2020 opt-out clause. He recently sold a house he owned in the greater Los Angeles area, which surely raised the blood pressure of a few Lakers fans.
Could Davis be preparing to leave the Southland and sign with someone else in a few months?
If one removes their emotions from their thoughts, they’ll realize that Davis has absolutely no logical reason to leave the Purple and Gold.