Lakers followers have been understandably cautious of Anthony Davis’ damage historical past when he was traded to Los Angeles from the Pelicans in July 2019.
Apparently, Davis was too.
When the time got here to re-sign with the Lakers, Davis stated he aimed to lock down the lengthiest contract he presumably may in case a career-threatening damage ought to come up. The seven-time All-Star inked a five-year, $190 million deal Thursday.
“That might have been a two-year, three-year deal,” Davis advised reporters on a video convention name Friday. “[But] I’ve to consider, additionally, the truth of issues, too. I do have just a little historical past with accidents, and a two-year deal, you type of wager on your self. … God forbid, knock on wooden, one thing occurs.”
Kayo is your ticket to the perfect sport streaming Stay & On-Demand. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >
Wizards CRUSH announcement
2:52
The Lakers dominated in the course of the 2019-20 season behind Davis and LeBron James, who additionally re-upped with the group. Davis, 27, managed to remain comparatively wholesome, regardless of shoulder and tailbone accidents, and performed in 62 of the Lakers’ 71 video games final season – together with all 21 of the Lakers’ postseason video games on the best way to the championship.
Nevertheless, Davis advised ESPN after Recreation 6 of the NBA Finals that he performed via an ankle damage that required important therapy main as much as tip-off.
The 6-foot-10 Davis was injury-prone in his first seven seasons within the NBA with the Pelicans. He missed 108 of a doable 574 regular-season video games because of a myriad of accidents.
“I need to safe essentially the most quantity of years doable and be right here long run with this group, so I assumed the five-year deal was finest for me in my state of affairs,” he stated.
Davis has a participant possibility on the ultimate 12 months of his deal, the 2024-25 season. If he doesn’t decide up the choice and opts to re-enter free company, Davis could be eligible to signal one other five-year max extension and keep away from the “over-38” rule that forestalls gamers from signing long-term offers past the age of 38, in response to ESPN.
This text was initially revealed by the NY Post and reproduced with permission.
