Anthony Davis to sign five-year, $ 190 million contract with Lakers, compared

Anthony Davis is expected to sign a five-year, $ 190 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The deal, which will likely start at Davis’ maximum salary of $ 32.7 million for the 2020-21 season, also includes an early termination option before the 2024-25 season, the fifth year of the deal. With four seasons guaranteed, however, Davis committed to the Lakers at least until his 31st birthday.

The deal comes just a day after LeBron James agreed to a two-year, $ 85 million extension of his own accord. Davis is technically under contract for a year longer than James, but it couldn’t be avoided. James will be 38 in the final year of that deal, and NBA rules prevent long-term contracts from extending beyond a player’s 38-year season. But James and Davis are both represented by Rich Paul and Klutch Sports, and all indications suggest LeBron plans to spend the rest of his career in Los Angeles. Now he can feel secure knowing that Davis will be there with him.

The only downside is how these deals will limit the Lakers’ financial progress. Before James and Davis re-signing, there were scenarios where the two could leave money on the table to free up the cap needed to sign a superstar free agent next summer (presumably, Giannis Antetokounmpo). Now with James and Davis locked up? This possibility has probably disappeared.

But coming out of a championship season, such madness isn’t necessarily something the Lakers necessarily need. James and Davis are perhaps the top two NBA players entering the 2020-2021 season, and the Lakers have revamped their supporting cast by adding Dennis Schroder, Wes Matthews, Marc Gasol and Montrezl Harrell this offseason. With these players in place, the Lakers are able to fight as long as James remains a superstar.

And when he’s gone, the Lakers can take comfort in knowing Davis is locked up and ready to replace him as the face of the franchise. The Lakers paid a heavy price to land Davis in 2019. The move more than paid off with last season’s championship. Now, with at least four more years in the purple and gold ahead, it will only continue to justify their investment.