Los Angeles Lakers PF Anthony Davis has turned down a max contract offer from the Lakers and will opt to enter free agency in the Summer, Yahoo Sports’ Chris B. Haynes reported Tuesday.
Yahoo Sources: Los Angeles Lakers offered Anthony Davis a max contract extension this morning, but they were informed he would be bypassing in favor of entering free-agency. https://t.co/9Ce2A4ePbI pic.twitter.com/ODta1H40Zi
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) January 7, 2020
This is somewhat of a bombshell of some news this early in the season. But really it would be prudent for Davis to take a max offer from the Lakers now, rather than using a potential title run and/or MVP season as leverage during the summer. Overall, the chances of Davis returning to L.A. after entering free agency are probably still pretty high. He’s got LeBron James in his ear and the Lakers should compete for a championship this postseason.
The flip side of this argument is Davis could command way more money in the offseason and he’d be keeping his options open if the Lakers falter and don’t win a championship. He’d pretty much be able to pick whichever team he wants to play for, which is appealing to some. He could opt to join a young team in need of frontcourt help like the Boston Celtics or decide to go home to Chicago and play for the Bulls. The decision is a ways away, but now we can at least start speculating.
Here are some more details from ESPN Front Office Insider Bobby Marks:
The six-month extension restriction for Anthony Davis has now been lifted. Davis is eligible to sign a four-year $146M extension or wait until July and sign a five-year $202M (if he opts-out) contract. The restriction was in place because AD waived his trade bonus.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) January 7, 2020