Davis will wait 'through Thanksgiving' to sign with Lakers

Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) controls the ball against Denver Nuggets forward Paul Millsap (4). Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Anthony Davis will wait 'through Thanksgiving' before signing new deal with Lakers

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 11/20/20

Anthony Davis is going to stay with the Los Angeles Lakers. That much has been made pretty clear over the course of the last few months. However, he's in no rush to sign an extension with the team with which he won his first NBA title.

The seven-time All-Star doesn't plan to sign a new deal until after Thanksgiving, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. He wants to consider his options on the length and structure of what is expected to be a maximum deal.

ESPN Sources: Anthony Davis is on course to return to the Lakers, but don't expect a formal commitment in the immediate hours and days after free agency opens. Davis will take time to consider the structure and length of a new max contract. https://t.co/nHBQfBGwJq
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 20, 2020

Wojnarowski notes that Davis has a few different contract options to choose from. He could sign a three-year, $106 million deal that would include a player option for the 2022-23 season. The 27-year-old also could sign a two-year, $68 million contract or a four- to five-year deal worth between $146.7 million and $189 million.

If Davis decides to align his deal with LeBron James' contract, which expires after the 2021-22 season, he could end up moving on from the Lakers sooner than general manager Rob Pelinka anticipated if James either retires or signs with another team.

While Davis' contract likely won't be sorted out over the weekend, Pelinka will be focused on bringing back Avery Bradley and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who both opted out of their player options to become free agents. Both players are expected to be pursued by a number of clubs, but Pelinka may have the upper hand, telling them there's a legitimate chance they could repeat as NBA champions.

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