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All-Star PF and NBA champion Anthony Davis intends to opt out of his current contract and re-sign a new one with the Los Angeles Lakers, The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported Thursday. Davis just helped the Lakers win the 2020 NBA championship, though he has a player option for next season in his contract. Instead of staying on that deal, AD plans to re-sign a new deal. His current contract would have paid him $28.7 million next season. Instead, his agent Rich Paul and the Lakers will discuss a “more sensible” contract, per Shams.
Charania outlines a few possible contracts Davis could sign with the Lakers. The first would be another one similar to the one he initially signed. A one-and-one that has a player option for 2021-22. The new deal would pay him around $34 million per season. If Davis signs a three-year deal, he would be eligible for a 35 percent max contract by the time the contract runs out in 2022. The four-year contract would give Davis the most potential money in his next contract, which could be a super max worth up to $266 million on a five-year deal.
During the Lakers championship run this postseason, Davis averaged 27.7 points and 9.7 rebounds in 21 games. In 62 regular-season games, Davis averaging 26.1 points and 9.3 rebounds in his first full season with the Lakers. AD had been acquired from the New Orleans Pelicans in an offseason deal that sent Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball and Josh Hart to New Orleans along with picks.
In other related Lakers news, Shams also points out that Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is expected to opt out of his deal, which had a similar player option. He was set to make $8.5 million next season, but after playing well during the Lakers’ title run, KCP could seek more money from another team. The Hawks are reportedly interested in Caldwell-Pope.
Rajon Rondo, JaVale McGee and Avery Bradley are three other names mentioned who have player options. Rondo is likely to opt out as well, but could re-up with L.A. For McGee and Bradley, it makes sense that they opt in. Bradley sat out the NBA restart and the Lakers could still use him in the back court, especially as KCP insurance. McGee started most of the season but wasn’t really used during the postseason.