This is arguably the best time to be a Lakers fan in a decade, with only the 2010 NBA Finals win against the Celtics standing against this point in time. The team appears to have approved around the margins with acquisitions like Montrezl Harrell and Marc Gasol, while the front office has been able to extend and re-sign LeBron James and Anthony Davis to keep them in Lakers jerseys for a long time.
Anthony Davis re-signed to a five-year, $190 million max deal, surprising many around the NBA who thought he would sign a three-year deal (with a player option on the final year) at max. Davis talked to Chris Geeter McGee of Spectrum SportsNet after his deal became official, saying that there was no doubt that he’d be returning to L.A.
“I just wanted to take the process one day at a time. Obviously winning the championship with L.A. was very great. The team Rob put together and Jeanie put together, and Linda and all the people in the front office was amazing, and we did something special. Especially with everything going on in 2020. I don’t think there was a doubt that I was gonna come back, it was just trying to figure out the logistics and what was best for me and my family, and I was able to get a deal done today. So I’m excited about that and excited for what Dudz calls ‘the Big 3,’ with him myself and ‘Bron, so it’s gonna be a great time. We’ve got another great task ahead of us, the team is looking great, guys have been working out, so I’m excited.”
"I don't think it was a doubt that I was coming back…LA is a place I want to be." @AntDavis23 sits with our @geeter3 to discuss his contract extension with the #LakeShow, aspirations for the upcoming season, and more. @Lakers pic.twitter.com/ekaeLLBn9A
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) December 4, 2020
In regards to a five-year deal surprising many who expected him to take less years for more money in the future, Anthony Davis said the following:
“L.A. is the place I wanted to be. They do a great job… of just putting the team together. It’s the place I wanted to be, where I love to be. I’m out here during the summers and now living out here full-time for the next five years. So I thought it was just a great thing to go five years and be here in the place that I love, and don’t plan on going anywhere. So why not maximize it the most at this opportunity.”
Anthony Davis is a Los Angeles Laker. And I get to say that for at least four more years! What a time to be alive.
