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After a better-than-expected season from the Los Angeles Lakers that resulted in a trip to the Western Conference Finals, the team had a decision to make on superstar forward Anthony Davis, who became eligible for a contract extension earlier this month.
Even though Davis is undoubtedly one of the best all-around players in the league when healthy and engaged on the basketball floor, he’s had issues in both areas during his time in Los Angeles, which made some fans hesitate on whether the team should commit to him long-term.
However, once Davis became eligible, the Lakers wasted no time in inking him to a three-year contract extension, where he’ll now make $62 million annually.
That’s a lot of money for a player who has played an average of 48.5 games per season since being traded to the Lakers, and ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith talked about the new deal on “Podcast P with Paul George” this week.
As Smith points out, there’s no doubting Davis’ talent, as he can fill it up on both ends of the basketball floor, but it is more about his availability and consistency, which really haven’t been there.
Smith questions Davis’ dedication to his craft, which will become a storyline heading into the 2023-24 NBA season now that he’s signed this massive deal and is in the team’s long-term plans moving forward.
Only time will tell if Davis can live up to expectations in Los Angeles from here on out, as he will be put under the microscope, especially with the team having high expectations this upcoming season.
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