To bring Anthony Davis to Los Angeles during the offseason, the Lakers surrendered a massive trade package comprised of Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart and three first-round picks.
After giving all of that up, the Lakers may lose Davis for nothing as he is reportedly unwilling to sign an extension to stay with LA and give up the chance to enter unrestricted free agency in July, according to Yahoo.
The Lakers found that out the hard way when the team offered the star forward a four-year, $146 million max extension on Tuesday and were told Davis is not interested in an in-season extension.
The 26-year-old, who is having a great year in LA alongside LeBron James and has helped guide the Lakers to the second-best record in the league (29-7), has a $28.7 million player option for next season which he is fully expected to decline.
If he does turn down his option, Davis will be eligible to receive a five-year, $202 million max contract this summer.
The Lakers may have to move some pieces around, but they would have the ability to sign Davis to the max if he decides he wants to stay in LA.
Davis will be eligible to sign a five-year max deal worth north of $200 million should he decline his player option for '20-21. He's kept his options open since being traded to L.A., but the league-wide assumption is AD will remain a Laker and sign a new deal this summer.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) January 7, 2020
Davis is averaging 27.7 points, 9.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.6 blocks per game and is the early favorite for the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award.
Subscribe here for our free daily newsletter.
Whether you’re looking to get into shape, or just get out of a funk, The Charge has got you covered. Sign up for our new wellness newsletter today.
