Fansided

10 eventual free agents who could change the shape of the NBA

By Bryan Toporek

Photo by Harry How/Getty Images
Photo by Harry How/Getty Images /
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 25: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to a play in a game against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half at Staples Center on February 25, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 25: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to a play in a game against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half at Staples Center on February 25, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) /

4. Anthony Davis (2020 player option)

Out of any player featured here, Anthony Davis may be the smallest flight risk.

After never winning more than 48 games with the New Orleans Pelicans and making the playoffs only twice in his first seven seasons, Davis strong-armed his way to the Los Angeles Lakers this past offseason to join forces with LeBron James. The two hit it off immediately, guiding the Lakers to a Western Conference-best 49-14 record before the NBA went on hiatus in mid-March because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Davis has a $28.75 million player option for 2020-21, so he could eschew becoming a free agent this offseason entirely. However, the 2020-21 salary cap would have to fall below roughly $95.8 million for that to be his best financial option, since he can earn up to 30 percent of the cap on a new max deal.

Davis is a virtual lock to re-sign with the Lakers whenever he does become a free agent, although the pandemic may complicate his upcoming decision. Unless the NBA releases updated projections for the salary caps over the next few seasons, Davis may not know whether he can earn more money by signing shorter-term deals or locking into a five-year max this offseason.

James can opt out after the 2020-21 season and is otherwise only under contract through 2021-22, so Davis may prefer to sign a 1+1 or a 2+1 deal to ensure he isn’t stuck on a rebuilding Lakers team if James leaves. If he signs a 2+1, he could opt out following the 2021-22 season and be eligible for a max salary starting at 35 percent of the cap since he would have 10 years of NBA experience at that point.

Either way, Davis figures to stay with the Lakers for the next few seasons. The only remaining question is how he’ll choose to do so.

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