2. It sets the Los Angeles Lakers up for another superstar
Oh yes, another superstar. Look: we know that the focus right now is on winning this NBA Finals but it is Rob Pelinka’s job to make sure this turns into a multi-year dynasty for the Lakers, not just a one-year trip to the NBA Finals.
The Lakers are not going to win more than two championships with just LeBron and Anthony Davis. They are both phenomenal but LeBron will be turning 37 during the 2021-2022 season. He has defied father time thus far, but in the competitive NBA, expecting to win with a 37-year-old as your second-best player is not ideal.
Rob Pelinka has already shown his hand. All of the free agent signings were two years, gearing for that 2021 offseason and bringing in a third star. If Davis foregoes a contract extension this offseason then the Lakers could utilize the Bird Rights that they obtained when trading for him to go over the cap, if needed.
LeBron will still have one more year under contract so things might be tight for a year. However, after his age 37 season, he is not going to get that massive contract and they could easily bring him back for cheaper or transition to a new era with Davis and another second superstar.
The highlight of that free-agency period is Giannis Antetokounmpo, who should be any team’s dream free-agent target in that offseason. However, he is not the only option and it is not Giannis or bust.
Both Kawhi Leonard and Paul George have player options that summer. Blake Griffin, Jrue Holiday, Victor Oladipo, Gordon Hayward and Rudy Gobert are all secondary options as well.
Of course, Giannis is the big-name of that summer, but there are other options and Anthony Davis’ not signing an extension this summer helps the Los Angeles Lakers maximize their chances.