After waiting long enough to nearly be the last roster spot, Anthony Davis and the Los Angeles Lakers are back and ready to defend their crown. The All-NBA big man agreed to a five-year deal for the max to wrap up free agency by returning to the purple-and-gold for a chance to repeat as champions alongside LeBron James. Davis will earn $190 million over the course of his deal. The big man will have a player option on the final year of the deal according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Davis’ commitment to the Lakers was reported early in the offseason.
In LeBron James’ first season, the Lakers tried their hardest to bring Davis to Los Angeles. Public posturing and mixed signals solidified the deal as doomed. The summer came and the fortunes of the franchise took a historic turn.
Anthony Davis’ first season in Los Angeles was phenomenal. He reshaped the team’s defensive identity and brought a versatility that Lakers fans have never seen. There would not be a 17th banner if Davis had not wanted to make Staples Center his home. Davis averaged 26.1 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game in his first season with the Lakers.
Now that he’s settled in on a longer deal, The Brow can etch his name into the Lakers history books forever. Davis’ new contract comes on the heels of LeBron James signing a two-year extension with the club.
If year one for Davis was a preview, the next few are going to be a ball.
