Anthony Davis became a free agent after this season and was keeping the NBA on stand by until he made his decision. Most people thought that he would resign with the Los Angeles Lakers, but the possibility of considering his options was quite nerve-wracking. Now, the time has come. Anthony Davis is signing a 5-year deal $190 million max contract with the Los Angeles Lakers according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Lakers and Anthony Davis are finalizing a five-year, $190M max contract, his agent Rich Paul tells @wojespn pic.twitter.com/NuwFKlYi7s
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 3, 2020
Last season, despite the break for the pandemic, Davis averaged 26.1 points per game, 9.3 rebounds per game and 3.2 assists per game. Davis did not skip a beat last season. The whole NBA and NBA fanbase watched Anthony Davis blossom during the Lakers playoff run in the Bubble. While never reaching the NBA Finals in his career, Davis sure did not act or play nervous. Davis took care of business and help bring the Lakers their 17th title. In the Finals series against the Heat, Davis still managed to average 25 points per game with two 30-point performances. Davis just signed for another five years to build off of this historic performance with the Lakers.
While Davis can lead a team on his own, what makes the Lakers so special is the pairing of LeBron James and Davis. LeBron is like father time and everyone knows the impressive stat line he put up for his 17th season in the league. To be exact, LeBron averaged 25.3 points per game, 7.8 rebounds per game, and 10.2 assists per game.
LeBron’s experience and sheer talent compliments Davis’s skill and dominance when he takes the court. The two make each other better leaders and this may have been one of the reasons why the Lakers were so successful last season. And now they are back again.
The Lakers kept Davis and LeBron together but have added players to help the duo during free agency. The Lakers brought in key players that could all have impactful roles this season. First the Lakers traded for Dennis Schroder who is a point guard going on his eighth season in the NBA. Last year, Schroder averaged 18.9 points per game and four assists per game. Schroder pushes the tempo in games and is considered a pretty crafty point guard.
The next new team member is Marc Gasol, a veteran center. Gasol is a previous Defensive Player of the Year winner and can help the Lakers protect the paint.
The last big signee for the Lakers is Montrezl Harrell, who just won 6th man of the year. Last season, Harrell averaged 18.6 points per game and 7.1 rebounds per game and was a huge asset to the Clippers.
With Davis finalizing his deal, the Lakers have all of the necessary pieces to repeat a championship. The three new members of the team all compliment Davis and LeBron’s playing styles well. The core group of teammates will help the new members learn the team culture. Lakers fans should be counting down the days until the NBA season to see their new and improved team in action.
All statistics taken from basketball-reference.com.
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