Sources: Anthony Davis declines Lakers' max extension offer

https://us.yahoo.com/sports/sources-anthony-davis-declines-lakers-extension-offer-195405367.html



Sources: Anthony Davis declines Lakers' max extension offer




Chris Haynes
Yahoo Sports


January 7, 2020, 4:54 PM GMT-3




LOS ANGELES — The Lakers offered their star forward Anthony Davis a four-year, $146 million max extension on Tuesday, but they were informed that he will be bypassing an in-season extension in favor of entering unrestricted free agency in July, league sources told Yahoo Sports.

The decision was made out of salary-cap implications and because Davis wants to solely focus on this season, sources said.

Davis holds a $28.7 million player option for the 2020-21 season that he is expected to decline in order to hit the open market, sources said.

Davis’ agent, Rich Paul, delivered the news to Lakers’ the front office after the team’s shootaround in preparation for Tuesday night’s game against the New York Knicks, sources said.


Anthony Davis is averaging 27.7 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.6 blocks this season. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)


No one within league circles anticipates Davis leaving the Lakers after one season.

Davis waived his no-trade clause to complete the blockbuster deal that sent him to L.A. from New Orleans last summer, and in doing so, he was restricted from signing an extension for six months.

Jan. 7 is the day the restriction is removed.

Now, the six-time All-Star will be eligible to receive a five-year, $202 million max contract in the summer.

As the overwhelming early favorite for the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award, Davis has helped the Lakers to a 29-7 start, which places them atop the Western Conference.

His presence has catapulted the franchise to instant championship contender status. With his contract situation a little more clear now, all that’s left is the pursuit of a title down.

On the season, Davis is averaging 27.7 points, 9.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.6 blocks per game.


bob
MY NOTE:  The smart money still says he'll resign with the Lakers, it's just going to cost them more, sooner.  Instead of them "getting away" with only paying him $28M they'll have to pay him $40M, which might make it harder for Pelinka to surround him and James with quality players because Davis will then eat up another $12M of the salary cap.  It's just money games, like Kyrie not accepting the extension Danny offered him so he could be a free agent at the end of the year and get a max contract instead of the lower "player option" amount.  And look how that turned out.  But I'm sure everything will be fine with Davis.    


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Bob,

AD is expected to turn down his $28.7m option and become a free agent on 7/1/20.
His starting salary for a 5 year $202m extenstion will be approximately $34.8m next season.
On average the contract will be about $40m per year.

Smart move by AD.

Nothing unexpected here, but he is taking a chance by waiting until after the season to sign.

Injuries took money away from DeMarcus Cousins that he'll never get back. Injuries (and bad timing) also cancelled IT's Brinks truck delivery.

As good as Davis may be, I am so glad that Ainge was unable to find a way to bring him to Boston for this season.

He may not be any more selfish than the next NBA multi millionaire, but there are just "things" that I do not like about him.

gyso wrote:Nothing unexpected here, but he is taking a chance by waiting until after the season to sign.

Injuries took money away from DeMarcus Cousins that he'll never get back.  Injuries (and bad timing) also cancelled IT's Brinks truck delivery.

In the case of Davis it may not matter.  KD was able to sign a nice contract despite his injury.  However. you never really know how a player will come back from an achilles injury.

AD will be the face of the franchise.  The Lakers hope for that.  But he seems to get nicked up a lot.