Lakers Rumors: Anthony Davis' Free Agency Expected To End In New Contract With Los Angeles

Just after the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Miami Heat to win the 2020 NBA Finals, Anthony Davis said he had no idea what would happen regarding his impending free agency. It’s hard to believe that’s actually the case, given the 27-year-old won a championship in his first season with LeBron James in LA.

“I had a great time in L.A. this first year,” Davis said. “This has been nothing but joy, nothing but amazement. Over the next couple of months, we’ll figure it out. I mean, I’m not 100 percent sure, but that’s why my agent [Rich Paul] is who he is, and we’ll discuss it and figure it out.”

Davis can either opt-in to the final year of his contract or hit the open market. His player option for the 2020-2021 season is worth $28.751 million.

If Davis chooses to become a free agent and the salary cap remains at $109.1 million, he can sign a deal that pays him a maximum salary of $32.7 million next season, ESPN’s Bobby Marks reports. Before the coronavirus pandemic halted the season and the salary cap was set to increase, Davis was expected to be eligible for a five-year contract worth $202 million.

It’s possible that Davis will choose to finish out his deal and become a free agent after next season because of the uncertainty surrounding the salary cap. Whether it’s this year or 2021, Davis’s free agency is almost certain to conclude with him staying in Los Angeles.

Before Davis was traded from the New Orleans Pelicans, Paul made it clear in an interview with Sports Illustrated that his client would only sign a long-term deal with the Lakers or New York Knicks. While the Lakers are favored to repeat as champions, the Knicks are coming off their seventh straight losing season with one of the worst rosters in the NBA.

There has been speculation in recent years that Davis might consider joining his hometown Chicago Bulls in free agency. When asked about a possible future in Chicago last year, Davis didn’t completely shut the door on going to the Bulls.

Similar to New York, Chicago is thought to be a long-shot destination, at best, for Davis.

The Knicks and Bulls weren’t even good enough to receive an invite to the NBA’s bubble in Orlando, Florida. Davis and the Lakers were dominant on their way to a title, going 16-5 in the playoffs.

James and Davis make up one of the all-time great NBA pairings. En route to a championship, they became the first set of teammates to average at least 25 points per game on 50% shooting in the same postseason.

Davis was a 2020 All-NBA First Team selection and the runner-up for Defensive Player of the Year. With James still the best basketball player in the world, Davis can compete for championships for years to come by staying with the NBA’s marquee franchise.