Agent: Anthony Davis inking 5-year deal to return to Lakers
Published:Friday | December 4, 2020 | 12:24 AM
LOS ANGELES (AP):
Anthony Davis is finalising a five-year contract worth up to US$190 million to return to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Davis’ agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, confirmed the terms of Davis’ pending free agent deal to The Associated Press yesterday. The Lakers didn’t comment.
One day after LeBron James agreed to a two-year, US$85 million contract extension with the Lakers through 2022-23, Davis committed to the Lakers through the 2024-25 season. Davis’ deal includes an early termination clause prior to the fifth year, but the lengthy contract is still a clear declaration that the 27-year-old Davis sees his long-term future with the 17-time NBA champions.
James and Davis won a NBA championship in the first season of their partnership, and they’re returning this month with new contracts and a solid chance to repeat.
“Those are great contracts, and they’re well-deserved,” veteran Lakers forward Markieff Morris said yesterday from the opening workouts of training camp. “It’s a big family, and it worked out the best for everybody.”
New Orleans Trade
The Lakers acquired Davis in a trade less than 18 months ago, shipping most of their young core to New Orleans to acquire one of the best big men of his generation. Davis made the All-NBA first team three times and earned six straight All-Star selections with the Pelicans, but only reached the second round of the playoffs once.
With Klutch clients James and Davis at their core, the Lakers immediately built a championship contender around them last season. The 6-foot-10 Davis swiftly clicked alongside James, who molded himself into a point guard and led the NBA in assists to maximise the talent of Davis, who earned his seventh straight All-Star selection.
James and Davis reteamed in the bubble in central Florida and led the Lakers to Davis’ first NBA title and James’ fourth.
The Lakers had missed the playoffs for six straight seasons before their dynamic duo transformed the franchise into champions again, beating the Miami Heat in six games in the NBA Finals.