How Ex-LeBron James Teammate Feels Lakers Should Approach Anthony Davis Extension
Since your Los Angeles Lakers were bounced in the Western Conference Finals, there has been much talk about what to do with the team going forward. First off, LeBron James potential retirement is hanging over the team but so is the future of Anthony Davis as a member of the purple and gold.
Davis has a contract that runs through the 2023-2024 season, but does has a $43.2M player-option for the 2024-2025 season. He is eligible to sign an extension with Los Angeles this August but there are those that don't believe the Lakers should do so.
Kendrick Perkins is correct in saying that Davis hasn't been fully healthy for awhile now. But he is wrong about the Lakers not signing Davis to an extension. Davis is still a force to be reckoned with on the basketball court.
People will remember the few games throughout the postseason where Davis didn't score 25-plus but they forget his overall value. Yes, at times he can come up a little small on the offensive end but he makes up for it with his defense and rebounding.
Davis is arguably the best post defender across the association and the Lakers shouldn't understate how important that is to their success.
Even with his limitations, whether that be physical or motivation, Davis still averaged 25.9 points per game this season for Los Angeles. Davis was challenged with being the main player to get the Lakers back into contention when James was out with an injury this season and he stepped up completely.
The Lakers should absolutely sign Davis to an extension to keep him in Los Angeles. If they decide to go down a different route, they then need to find a trade for the All-Star. They can't let him walk for nothing under any circumstances. The Lakers are better with Davis and Davis is better in Los Angeles. It's a mutually beneficial partnership and one that should continue forward.
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