[ad_1]
Anthony Davis wasn’t supposed to make a long-term commitment to the Lakers. With the opportunity to sign a maximum contract worth 35% of the limit just two years away, he was expected to sign a “2 + 1” agreement and evaluate his options at that point, but he did not.
On Thursday, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Davis had agreed to sign a five-year, $ 190 million contract with the Lakers that includes an early termination option in the fifth year. General Manager Rob Pelinka made the signing official in a statement Thursday:
“In the Orlando bubble, Anthony Davis showed that he is one of the most complete and dominant two-way players in the game,” said Pelinka. “Now Lakers fans can see how AD continues to grow and lead our franchise for years to come. This is truly a blessed moment for the Lakers Nation. “
Davis won NBA First Team honors for the fourth time in his career in 2019-20, averaging 26.1 points (.503 FG%, .846 FT%), 9.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 2.3 blocks and 1.5 steals in 62 games . He made his seventh career All-Star appearance, was a two-time Western Conference Player of the Week and was included on the NBA’s First Defensive Team for the second time in his career. Davis ranked third in the NBA in blocks and 10th in points, while finishing as one of two players to average at least 2.0 blocks and 1.5 steals per game.
In 21 playoff appearances, Davis averaged 27.7 points, (.571% shooting from the field, .383% shooting from the field), 9.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.2 steals. He became the fifth player in league history to shoot 50-40-90 in the NBA Finals (.571 FG%, .421 3P%, .938 FT%), joining Kevin Durant, Chauncey Billups, Penny Hardaway and Magic Johnson. Davis became the eighth player in NBA history to win an NBA Championship, an NCAA Championship, and an Olympic gold medal.
Davis’ decision to sign a long-term contract could have been motivated by a number of things, including his family, the uncertainty surrounding the NBA’s future financial health, and the sad truth that injuries can happen at any time, as he saw. close up. with DeMarcus Cousins in 2018. Whatever it is, Lakers fans won’t question it.
Now, Davis and LeBron James, who agreed to sign a two-year, $ 85 million extension Wednesday, are expected to keep the Lakers in contention for years to come. They started their association on the right foot last season when they were crowned champions, but expectations promise to grow from now on, especially for Davis.
James was the Lakers MVP last season. One could even argue that he was the most valuable player in the NBA last season. But James will turn 36 a few weeks into the 2020-21 season and will be 38 when his contract expires in 2023.
The Lakers’ future is in Davis, who just entered his prime at age 27. And if last season was indicative of things to come for Davis, the future, near and far, is bright.
For more Lakers talk, subscribe to the Silver Screen and Roll podcast at iTunes, Spotify, Stapler or Google Podcasts. You can follow this author on Twitter at @RadRivas.
[ad_2]
