While All-NBA forward Anthony Davis is on course to eventually agree on a new deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, no formal commitment is expected to come in the immediate days following the start of free agency Friday, sources told ESPN.
Rich Paul, Klutch Sports CEO and Davis’ agent, will be in contact with Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka after 6 p.m. ET Friday, sources said, but Davis plans to wait at least through Thanksgiving as he considers his options on the length and structure of maximum contract deals.
Davis, 27, has several possible scenarios on a new deal with the Lakers, including a three-year, $106 million contract that would include a player option for the 2022-23 season — a structure that would align Davis with the end of LeBron James‘ deal.
Davis could do a two-year, $68 million deal with an option after next year — or longer deals for four years ($146.7 million) and five years ($189 million).
Some of James’ free-agent windows with the Cleveland Cavaliers extended over a period of weeks, so this is a familiar plan for star clients of Paul, who is also James’ agent. Paul represents another Lakers free agent, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who is looking for a significant new deal with the Lakers — or elsewhere.
Davis, who came to the Lakers in a trade before the 2019-20 season, helped the franchise to an NBA title.
