Davis returns to L.A.
LOS ANGELES — Anthony Davis finalized a fiveyear contract worth up to $190 million to return to the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday.
One day after LeBron James agreed to a twoyear, $85 million contract extension with the Lakers through 2022-23, Davis committed to the Lakers through the 2024-25 season. Agent Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, who represents both Davis and James, confirmed the terms of both deals to the Associated Press.
General manager Rob Pelinka announced both of his All-NBA first-team superstars had agreed to new contracts Thursday night without disclosing their terms. James and Davis won an NBA championship in the first season of their partnership, and Los Angeles is back to work in training camp this week with a solid chance to repeat.
Davis’ deal includes an early termination clause prior to the fifth year, but the lengthy contract is still a clear declaration that the 27-year-old Davis sees his long-term future with the 17-time NBA champions.
The Lakers acquired Davis in a trade less than 18 months ago, shipping most of their young core to New Orleans to acquire one of the best big men of his generation. Davis made the All-NBA first team three times and earned six straight All-Star selections with the Pelicans, but only reached the second round of the playoffs once.
With Klutch clients James and Davis at their center, the Lakers immediately built a championship contender around them last season.
The 6-10 Davis swiftly clicked alongside James, who molded himself into a point guard and led the NBA in assists to maximize the talent of Davis, who earned his seventh straight All-Star selection and his fourth All-NBA first-team nod.
James and Davis reteamed in the bubble in central Florida and led Los Angeles to the title. The Lakers had missed the playoffs for six straight seasons before their dynamic duo transformed the franchise into champions again, beating the Miami Heat in six games in the NBA Finals.
While James won his fourth NBA championship, Davis became the eighth player in basketball history to win an NCAA championship, an Olympic gold medal and an NBA ring.
Davis will make more than $32.7 million this season, more than $35 million next season and nearly $38 million in 202223. The fourth year of the contract is worth about $40 million, and the fifth year would be worth more than $43 million.
Davis excelled throughout his first season with the Lakers, averaging 26.1 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.3 blocks per game.
Nuggets re-sign Millsap for 1 year
The Nuggets re-signed forward Paul Millsap to a one-year deal. Millsap has spent the last three seasons in Denver, averaging 12.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists and a steal.
Although Millsap, 35, played fewer minutes (24.3) last season than he had in any season since 2007-08, he stayed highly effective, averaging 11.6 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.6 assists while shooting a career-high 43.5 percent from 3-point range.
The 14-year NBA veteran helped the Nuggets reach the Western Conference finals for the first time since 2008-09 and his re-signing comes after Denver lost key frontcourt players Jerami Grant and Mason Plumlee in free agency. Last month, Millsap’s agent, DeAngelo Simmons, told the Athletic that Millsap’s deal with Denver would be worth more than $10 million.