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Los Angeles Lakers star Anthony Davis wanted to protect himself against a career-threatening injury with his new contract. Although Davis considered signing a two or three-year contract with the Lakers, injury concerns convinced Davis to secure a five-year, $ 190 million contract with the team, according to ESPN.
Davis admitted it on Friday, saying his injury history influenced him to get a big deal now.
“It could have been a two-year, three-year deal,” Davis told reporters on a conference call Friday. “[But] I also have to think about the reality of things. I have a little history with injuries, and a two year contract, you kind of bet on yourself. … God forbid, touch wood, something’s going on. “
Davis has never managed a full NBA season without missing a game. With the New Orleans Pelicans, Davis has played 466 of a possible 574 games due to various injuries, according to ESPN. Davis missed nine games last season – his first for the Lakers – with shoulder and tailbone issues. He was able to play in all 21 Lakers playoff games but suffered an ankle injury that required six hours of treatment before Game 6 of the NBA Finals.
These bumps and bruises convinced Davis to “secure as many years as possible.”
Anthony Davis is committed to the Lakers for the long haul
While it’s easy to assume Davis was always going to take the biggest contract, that wasn’t necessarily the case. Some analysts were unsure if Davis would commit to the Lakers once LeBron James’ contract ended. James initially signed a four-year, $ 154 million contract with the Lakers in 2018. That contract would have led James through the 2021-22 NBA season. James, however, agreed to a two-year, $ 85 million extension on Wednesday that keeps him under contract with the Lakers during the 2022-23 NBA season.
Davis could have stayed on the same free agent schedule as James by signing a three-year contract with the Lakers, but instead opted to sign in Los Angeles for two more seasons. The last few years could come without James, who could leave the Lakers or retire when he hits the market after the 2022-23 NBA season.
While this adds some uncertainty to the end of Davis’ new deal, the compromise was probably worth it. You don’t turn down $ 190 million because a 38-year-old free agent could leave the Lakers in three years.
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