Austin Reaves is happy the Los Angeles Lakers signed Anthony Davis to a three-year, $186 million extension. The Arkansas native told NBA writer Sam Yip of HoopsHype that he loves playing with the superstar big man.
“You got to, he’s Anthony Davis,” Reaves said. “People out there doubt him sometimes but he’s arguably one of the most skilled players in the league. He’s got incredible IQ to the game. He’s a joy to play with and a joy to be around, so as long as I can be around him for my career, the better I’ll be for it.”
Davis has a player option for the 2027-28 season in his $186 million extension with the Lakers, according to NBA insider Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. The Chicago native is committed to the Lakers for five more years and approximately $270.5 million. Davis’ extension, which kicks in for the 2025-26 season, is the richest extension in NBA history with a projected average annual value of $62 million.
Davis signed a five-year, $190 million contract with the Lakers in December 2020. That deal included an early termination option in 2024 and will be fully up in 2025. Davis has the same agent (Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group) as LeBron James, who signed a two-year, $99 million extension with the Lakers last summer.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Anthony Davis, Austin Reaves & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
A future Hall of Famer, Davis averaged 25.9 points, 12.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.0 blocks last NBA season in 56 games while shooting 56.3% from the field, 25.7% from beyond the arc and 78.4% from the free-throw line. The Lakers made it all the way to the Western Conference Finals after starting the season 2-10.
Davis finished the 2023 NBA playoffs averaging 22.6 points, 14.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.4 steals and 3.1 blocks in 16 games versus the Memphis Grizzlies, Golden State Warriors and Denver Nuggets. The Lakers got swept by the Nuggets, who won the championship, in the Western Conference Finals.
Davis, who will make $40.6 million next season, helped the Lakers win the 2020 title over the Miami Heat in six games at the Walt Disney World bubble in Orlando, Florida. He has a very close relationship with LeBron.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Anthony Davis, Austin Reaves & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
The Lakers are expected to start D’Angelo Russell, Reaves, Rui Hachimura, LeBron and Davis next season. Reaves signed a four-year, $53.8 million contract with Los Angeles in July as a restricted free agent.
Want the latest NBA analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click Here. Follow NBA Analysis Network on Twitter and Facebook.
