Lakers forward Ed Davis intends to opt out of his contract for next season, Mark Medina of The Los Angeles Daily News reports. The big man’s deal contains a player option worth $1,100,602 for 2015/16. Davis prefers to secure his long-term future rather than opting in for short-term security, Medina notes. “I’m hoping for a long-term deal,” said Davis, who has until June 25th to make his final decision regarding his option. “I’d love to return here [Los Angeles]. I know this will turn around eventually.”
Davis had previously rejected a long-term rookie scale extension offer from the Grizzlies back in October of 2013 that would have paid him $5MM to $6MM annually, according to Ronald Tillery of the Commercial Appeal (subscription required). The big man decided against signing an extension with Memphis because he was reportedly displeased with his playing time, Tillery notes. This led Davis to leave Memphis as a free agent and to ink a two-year, $2MM deal with the Lakers last July.
Los Angeles may still elect to try and re-sign Davis, but its priorities this offseason revolve around the NBA draft and trying to attract a max-level free agent, Medina notes. But Davis’ future with the Lakers will likely hinge on what sort of free agent market will develop for his services, Medina adds. The 25-year-old told Medina that he “definitely” understands the financial risk that turning down his player option will entail.
The 6’10” former first-rounder out of North Carolina is enjoying a solid season for the floundering Lakers, and has benefited from the season-ending injury to 2014 lottery pick Julius Randle. Davis is averaging 8.0 points and 7.3 rebounds in 24.1 minutes per game. His career numbers are 7.1 PPG, 6.1 RPG, and 1.1 BPG. His career slash line is .549/.000/.584.
The Lakers must start to form a nucleus of young players. True Ed Davis may not be a superstar, however he’s a solid performer and projects into a solid role player at least. I think the Lakers should offer him a 5 year contract.
Too bad…ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ Kobe needs to get well soonl
PLEASE Mitch, you lost Gasol & D12 for NOTHING !!!!!! Don’t lose Davis for nothing as well. Go to a top tier team & get their first round pick for him….
The guy making the final decisions is that idiot Jim Buss so I do not have much faith in them doing the smart thing. In today’s game you must have fast big men that can run on the break and defend the wing. We have two very young guys in Black and Davis that are what you would get in a mid first round pick. It takes time for big’s to mature look at DeAndre on the Clips. We need to concentrate on what we have vs what we need. Can Randle play the 3 if not we need an athletic stretch the court 3 and we need a Point if Clarkson does not fit. I would sign Davis and Black and with Randle you have a solid core. If we can get help in the draft and sign a couple of good Free Agents we can build on that . IMHO.
Gotta bring Davis back and the Lakers cant afford to let Davis field offers from other teams while they wait for a major free agent to sign. Bring the guy in on a descent deal with the promise of solid back minutes. (Hopefully we sign Monroe to start at Center) The cap is going up we can afford a deal in the 7 or 8 mill range annually for Davis
lakers are in rebuild mode.. i wouldnt give davis a 7-8 million $ deal. they have randle next yr. plus its a good chance there will be a big man there for the taking in the draft this yr. add in the fact you still at the moment have hill with a team option for next yr.. i rather give him the 9 million. then there tarik black and sacre would u can bring back for cheaper.. if i’m the lakers i trade him at the deadline this yr for an asset.