The Los Angeles Lakers signed forward Anthony Davis to a contract extension.
“In our conversations with Anthony, his desire to lead our franchise for the next several years became abundantly clear,” Pelinka said. “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.”
During the recent 2022-23 season, Davis appeared in 56 games (54 starts) for the Lakers, averaging 25.9 points on a career-best 56.3 percent shooting from the floor, a career-high 12.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.1 steals and 2.0 blocks in 34.0 minutes per game. The 30-year-old became the first Lakers player since Shaquille O’Neal in 2000-01 to average at least 25.0 points, 12.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocks in a campaign. The Chicago native was named Western Conference Player of the Month once and earned two conference player of the week honors. During the 2023 NBA Playoffs, Davis helped guide the Lakers to the Western Conference Finals by averaging 22.6 points (52.0 FG%), an NBA-best 14.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.4 steals and a league-leading 3.1 blocks in 38.0 minutes across 16 games (all starts).
Davis, who was originally acquired by Los Angeles on July 6, 2019, as part of a three-team trade before re-signing with the team on Dec. 3, 2020, has appeared in 194 regular season games (192 starts) across four seasons with the Lakers, averaging 24.6 points (52.4 FG%), 10.1 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.3 steals and 2.1 blocks in 34.0 minutes. The 2020 NBA Champion has suited up in 42 playoff games (all starts) with the purple and gold, averaging 24.5 points (53.6 FG%), 11.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.2 steals and 2.1 blocks in 36.2 minutes per game.
Throughout his 11-year NBA career, Davis has been named an NBA All-Star on eight occasions, earned four All-NBA First Team honors and was selected to the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team. In 660 career regular season games (653 starts) suiting up for Los Angeles and New Orleans (2012-19), Davis has averaged 24.0 points (51.9 FG%), 10.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.3 steals and 2.3 blocks in 34.4 minutes per contest. In 55 career NBA Playoff appearances (all starts) with the Lakers and Pelicans, he holds career averages of 25.9 points (53.3 FG%), 11.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.3 steals and 2.2 blocks in 37.3 minutes per game. The four-time All-Defensive Team selection is one of eight players in NBA history to win an NBA Championship, an NCAA Championship and an Olympic gold medal.
