Lakers: Analyzing Anthony Davis’ four choices on contract extension

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 09: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during the fourth quarter against the Miami Heat in Game Five of the 2020 NBA Finals at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on October 9, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 09: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during the fourth quarter against the Miami Heat in Game Five of the 2020 NBA Finals at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on October 9, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
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Los Angeles Lakers
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2. Four years $146 million

This deal makes sense if Davis wants some security as he would be making $36.5 million per year on average. But he has already declined this extension with hopes to open up other avenues financially for him.

With this deal, there is no more option year he is going the straight four-year route. It’s a nice amount of money and secures his future. But this takes him into year 12 and not many players have done this, this doesn’t make sense financially for players.

He bypasses two years of being in the supermax and gives up the opportunity at a large payday in his prime. Players could see the big figure and think of all the guaranteed money they would get if they were to accept this deal. But this is very rare players have looked at this as a positive for their future that are eligible for it.

With that being said even if the money is an absolute desire right now. The four-year deal is not the route to go. A five-year deal would make more logical sense to get every guaranteed dollar with an extension now.

Which leads us straight into the final option.