The Los Angeles Lakers announced Thursday that they have officially re-signed both LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
James’ deal was first announced when the four-time MVP signed a $ 85 million two-year deal on Wednesday for the 2022-23 season. Overtime will lead him into his 39/40 year season and yet it was a breeze for the Lakers emerging from a championship where James was the final of the MVP.
“LeBron James is a transcendent basketball player and person,” said vice president of basketball and general manager Rob Pelinka in a press release. “LeBron placed their trust in the Lakers in 2018, and now this contract extension paves the way for LeBron to further cement his legacy as the great Lakers of all time. We could no longer be honored by this commitment. “
Davis, who was a free agent that off-season, signed his new deal with the Lakers just hours after James on Thursday morning, opting for a five-year deal worth up to $ 190 million. Many thought the 27-year-old would sign for two years with a season three player option as that would have given him the greatest possible flexibility and allowed him to re-enter the market for his next deal that had just met the criteria (10 years of service) to earn up to 35 percent of the cap.
Instead, Davis took on the biggest contract he could get at the present moment – certainly a win for both sides, but one that also shows Davis’ confidence in the Lakers organization.
“In the Orlando bubble, Anthony Davis has proven to be one of the most complete and dominant two-way players in the game,” Pelinka said of the big man. “Now Lakers fans can see AD grow and run our franchise for years. This is truly a blessed moment for Lakers Nation. “
Both players apparently expect to play the rest (or at least most of) their respective careers in purple and gold.
