Anthony Davis Will Reject His Player Option, Plans to Sign a New Deal with Lakers

Anthony Davis during an All-Star game in 2017. Photo by Stephen Lew/CSM/REX/Shutterstock

In a move that surprised almost nobody, Los Angeles Lakers’ All-Star Anthony Davis decided to reject his $28.7 million player option for the 2020/21 NBA season. According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, Davis plans to sign a new deal with the Lakers soon.

Davis has player option thanks to his five-year, $145 million contract extension that he signed with New Orleans Pelicans back in 2015. However, it doesn’t make sense for the 27-year-old player to use this right, as he can get a max contract from the Lakers right now.

Charania adds that Davis and his agent Rich Paul will meet with Lakers’ brass in the following weeks in order to work out all the details of the new deal.

While Anthony Davis can take offers from other teams, he isn’t expected to entertain any other offers as he just won an NBA title in purple and gold. Also, the Lakers can offer him a five-year, $202 million contract, while the maximum another team can go is four-years, $140 million.

Davis isn’t locked to ask for the biggest deal he can get from the Lakers. He might opt to do a short-term deal that lines with the expiration of fellow All-Star LeBron James’ deal after 2021/22 and take it from there.

Davis came to LA in a blockbuster trade that saw Lakers send young players Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, and Josh Hart, alongside three first-round draft picks, to Pelicans in exchange. However, it paid off so far. Kentucky product helped the franchise to record-tying 17th NBA championship while averaging 26.1 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 2.3 blocks per game.