As of August 4, Lakers star Anthony Davis will become eligible for a contract extension that could tack on three additional years to the two remaining on his current contract.
Although it remains to be seen whether or not the Lakers will offer him the maximum salary for those three years or if the two sides will reach an agreement quickly once Davis becomes extension-eligible, ESPN’s Dave McMenamin is confident that the two sides will be able to work out a deal sooner or later.
“I am not too concerned about how this thing plays out,” McMenamin said during an appearance on Zach Lowe’s Lowe Post podcast. “Whether the max amount of year, the max amount of numbers are reached, that remains to be seen. That will be figured out between (agent) Rich Paul and (Lakers head of basketball operations) Rob Pelinka and (Lakers owner) Jeanie Buss and the like. But where things stand right now, I expect some sort of agreement to be reached. … I’m fairly confident that Anthony Davis will be coming into training camp on an extended deal.”
Currently, both Davis and LeBron James are on guaranteed contracts through 2023/24, with player options for the ’24/25 season. James won’t be extension-eligible before next summer, so even if they’re able to lock up AD to a new deal this offseason, the Lakers won’t necessarily have any certainty on LeBron beyond the coming season.
Here’s more from around the Pacific:
- Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee examines what the Kings‘ depth chart might look like in 2023/24, observing that the team’s starting lineup will probably remain unchanged from last season. Anderson also considers candidates for Sacramento’s final two-way slot, suggesting that Summer League standout Jordan Ford is one option if big man Neemias Queta doesn’t return on a two-way deal.
- A handful of rotation spots will likely be up for grabs in Phoenix this offseason, so the newest member of the Suns‘ roster, Bol Bol, should have an opportunity to prove that he deserves a regular role and is worthy of more than a minimum-salary contract next summer, writes Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic. Rankin explores where Bol might fit on the team’s depth chart, noting that he could battle frontcourt players like Keita Bates-Diop, Drew Eubanks, and Chimezie Metu for minutes.
- Suns center Deandre Ayton, who has been the subject of some trade rumors and has faced criticism for his up-and-down play, is looking to “change the narrative” this offseason, he tells Eyewitness Bahama News (Twitter video link). “Mainly what I’ve been working on five or six days a week since we’ve lost is just motivating myself to change the narrative of what people think about me,” Ayton said (hat tip to Rankin of The Arizona Republic). “… Just unlock whatever it is and just completely just focus on me and change the whole thing.”
Ayton is a very good player but just lacks the motor. That can’t be taught.
one can motivate to make changes. happens all the time. comes from within. you’re right….cant be taught ..but can be acquired
Kings.. resign Queta. Suns trade Ayton for Myles Turner and McConnell
Pacers hang up the phone. Turner is better than Ayton at almost every facet of the game. The only area where Ayton is better is grabbing rebounds. The Pacers tried to sign him in the offseason because there were questions about Turner leaving or being traded, and that would have given them certainty. But now that he’s on an extension, it makes no sense.
They should find a trade partner, though. Aytons on/off metrics were ugly as sin last year. The Suns outscored opponents by 6.8 points when Ayton was on the bench, and got outscored by 1.6 when he was playing.
EDIT: Mixed up some numbers, but the point stands.
Steven Adams and Luke kennard? Capela and Bogdon B?
The latter might work. The Hawks are known to be willing to trade Capela. But I don’t think Ayton alone would get back him and Bogdan. Ayton’s value isn’t negative, but it’s not high either. And Atlanta is looking more for forwards than Centers in exchange for him.
Don’t see any way Memphis trades Adams and Kennard, especially not together. Adams is one of the most key players on that team, and Kennard had a jaw-dropping run with Memphis before he got injured. And they’re already kind of thin in the backcourt without Tyus Jones and with Morant suspended.
Maybe the Clippers for Morris, Zubac, and filler? The Clips are focused on Harden right now, but if they get the sense he isn’t coming, they may make a move anyway.
Turner can’t be traded until 2024 because of the extension he signed
I think the key now for the Suns is Frank Vogel.
or possibly Jared Vogel
Really hot Nemie gets another two way deal, he deserves it based on how he played last year for Stockton. Not sure if the Kings will go in the Ford direction or maybe go with an older vet for the 3rd PG spot on their team.
They should keep Queta
the Vet can beat the Ford every time! You’re crazy!