EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (News4usonline) – Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis signed a multi-year extension with the team over the summer. It’s easy to see why the Lakers are banking their future on Davis.
During the 2022-2023 NBA regular season, Davis averaged 25.9 points and nearly 13 rebounds (12.5) a game while riding shotgun to LeBron James as the Lakers played well enough to make it to the Western Conference Finals.
“In our conversations with Anthony, his desire to lead our franchise for the next several years became abundantly clear,” Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka said when the team announced the contract deal.
“AD understands that his commitment to being the hardest worker, combined with his high character, is what will help define our culture for many seasons to come. It is a proud day for Lakers Nation when we’re able to extend the contract of one of the game’s most dominant two-way players,” Pelinka added,
With James playing his 21st season, the Lakers are primed to make another postseason run with the core of their team returning. With his contract extension secured, this puts Davis into a leadership role with the team, something he embraces.
He also downplayed the significance of the transferring of that mantle when asked directly during the team’s media day at its practice facility in El Segundo, California.
“I think it’s the Lakers team. I play for the Lakers,” Davis said matter-of-factly.
When posed with a question if signing his contract extension had any bearing on his summer and how he goes about working in the offseason, Davis said it did not.
“They offered an extension. I accepted. That was really it, you know,” Davis said. “My workout didn’t change, you know, because of the extension or anything like that. So, they say they contacted my agent. They then contacted me. We had a meeting. That was really it.”
The Lakers’ one-two punch of Davis and James should prove to be lethal again in the Western Conference. Playing his 20th year in the NBA, James averaged 28.9 points and 8.3 rebounds a game last season. For his career, those stats are 27. 2 points and 7.5 rebounds for James.
With guard D’Angelo Russell and versatile athlete Austin Reaves back, the Lakers have their solid core of four players back in the fold.
The Lakers also added nice pieces around Davis and James that should complement their play this season. Guard Gabe Vincent and veteran forward Taurean Prince are nice additions to the team. Jarred Vanderbilt and Rui Hachimura are expected to give the Lakers valuable minutes as well.
But the key to the Lakers’ success this season hinges on Davis and his ability to stay healthy. When healthy, Davis is perhaps the premier forward/center in the NBA because of all that he does on the floor. He can shoot. He can pass. He is a ferocious defender. He can rebound.
So far in his tenure with the Lakers, Los Angeles has won an NBA title and advanced to the Western Conference Finals. For many other teams in the league that would be an incredible accomplishment. For the Lakers and their fans, it’s a nice little achievement.
They want more. Like in an 18th NBA championship. Winning titles is expected for the Lakers. Every year. However, finishing the season as runner-up in the Western Conference to another ballclub gives this Lakers team a building block. The next step would be to play in the NBA Finals.
To get there, though, Davis must be upright and playing. His health is critical to the Lakers’ success. Last season, Davis played in 56 regular season games out of a possible 82. That is the most games that Davis played in a season since his first season with the team. During that 2019-20 season, Davis played in 62 games.
That would be the Bubble Season, the year that Davis and the Lakers won the franchise’s 17th NBA Finals trophy. In summary, if Davis is on the floor, the Lakers have an opportunity to be dominant. Playing all 82 games during the regular season is something he strives to do every year, Davis said.
“Nothing’s changed,” Davis said. “Every year I want to come out and play every game and help the team win, especially my role. I know it’s a big piece to this team, and with me being on the floor, it definitely helps us.”
Feature Image: Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis at the podium during the team’s media day on Oct. 2, 2023. JAVIER ROJAS/PI
Dennis has covered and written about politics, crime, social justice, sports, and entertainment. Dennis currently covers the NFL, MLB, NBA, NCAA, and Olympic sports. Dennis is the editor of News4usonline.com and serves as the publisher of the Compton Bulletin newspaper. He earned a journalism degree from Howard University.