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Los Angeles Lakers PF Anthony Davis still plans on re-signing with the defending champions, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Friday morning. Davis opted out of his player option for the 2020-21 season, a contract that would have paid him $28.7 million. Davis is expected to take some time to figure out his new deal with the Lakers, per Woj. This means he won’t sign immediately at the opening of the signing period on Sunday after noon ET.
Davis’ agent Rich Paul and Lakers GM Rob Pelinka will be in contact after the window opens, though a deal is not expected to happen until at least through the holidays next week. So we may be waiting a bit on the announcement of a new deal. There’s really no reason for Lakers fans to worry, Davis has no reason/incentive to leave. The idea is to potentially align Davis’ contract with LeBron James’ — a three-year deal worth around $106 million with a player option for 2022-23.
Woj mentions in the report that James’ free agent periods with the Cavaliers took a few weeks. Now, that isn’t time the Lakers and Davis have with training camp starting on Dec. 1. So we should get some resolution, I’d imagine, by next weekend at the latest. The two sides have had a strong relationship since AD was acquired from the Pelicans and it all culminated in another title for L.A.