NBA superstar Anthony Davis has declined, as expected, the super-max extension contract sent to him by the Los Angeles Lakers. The thumb-down from AD is unsurprising as the big man has already made clear that it will his preferred move prior to making the jump from New Orleans last year.
The official word from the 26-year-old Davis is that he wants to focus on the ongoing NBA campaign, in which his team, the Lakers, are favored to reach the Finals and likely win the championship.
Another known reason for the decision by Davis is that he would like to enter free agency in the 2020 offseason, meaning AD will want to see his other options set on the table. One solid possibility is staring on a proposal sheet that reads higher than the current pay package presented by the Lakers, set at $146 million over the next four years.
Sure enough for Davis, a few more months and he'd be eligible for a higher salary, according to Lakers Nation. If he wins the Larry O'Brien in June, then the chance is high; it will be the sky is the limit for the All-Star.
Per the same report, a free agent Davis will earn him a contract offer that is worth $202 million, spread in the next five years and presumably coming from AD's present team, hinting there might be a slight chance Davis will make a switch next season.
However, there is no sign at all that the big man intends to change jersey since he is already with a team that is tipped to capture not one but multiple NBA crowns. A solid indicator for Davis that he is with the right NBA club is the presence of LeBron James.
James has multiple NBA rings and will possibly win a couple more before ending his career. It's hard to imagine that Davis would want from a team that will make him more successful, so it can be assumed that leaving is out of the question.
"For the first time in his career, he realistically has a chance to win a championship with a talented roster he helped put together ... Davis is viewed as the next face of the NBA and has an opportunity to win multiple championships with one of the greatest sports teams of all time," the report said.
Also, it's unimaginable that Davis would move to break his current collaboration with James. As Bleacher Report explained: "He and LeBron James have without a doubt established themselves as the best one-two punch in the league."
And with the Lakers, Davis has ready access to a host of honors for him on the taking like winning the MVP race, so "there's little reason-basketball or otherwise-to think Davis won't be around for the long term," the report added.
