What Next for Anthony Davis? Analyzing His Options for Free Agency

The gamble paid off for Los Angeles Lakers. After trading away three young players and a host of future firsts, they brought in Anthony Davis. This trade was criticized, and many said the Lakers would regret it. But a year later, Davis helped the Lakers to win their first title since 2010.

It was also a gamble because Davis will be a free agent in this upcoming off-season. It looks almost certain that he will return. Just after winning the title, he was on Quinn Cook’s Instagram Live where he said, ‘We’re gonna run it right back.”

But later, when he was directly asked about returning, he said, “I have no idea. I don’t know. I had a great time in L.A. this first year. This has been nothing but joy, nothing but amazement. Over the next couple of months, we’ll figure it out. I mean, I’m not 100% sure, but that’s why my agent is who he is and we’ll discuss it and figure it out” 

Homecoming for Anthony Davis?

The other team that has been linked to Davis is the Chicago Bulls. Davis is from Illinois and has teased about playing for his hometown previously. Back in November 2019, he said, “There’s nothing like playing at home. Mean, I am a free agent next year … but we will see.”

The Bulls haven’t had an All-Star since Jimmy Butler left in 2017. Since then, they have been on a downward curve, and have been rebuilding unsuccessfully. If Davis moves there, it will all change. However, with the current roster, they are still far from being contenders. So that could hurt the Bulls chances of signing him.

Is New York finally getting their big-name free agent?

There is no other team that has been directly linked to him. The Knicks had shown interest previously, but they have a track record for trying to lure every big free agent, albeit unsuccessfully. They have been struggling to build a capable team and haven’t been able to make the playoffs since 2013.

Although the prospect of playing in The Garden is still attractive to any NBA player, the Knicks will need another star to lure in Davis. Currently, their best player is Julius Randle, but that isn’t good enough.

This flirting with Free Agency would have been a big deal had it been any other player. But with Davis, it is an open secret that he will return to LA, a team that was willing to gamble their future for him. He has now also developed a close friendship with LeBron James, and the duo seem inseparable.

He could either accept his player option and then take a cheaper contract next year to accommodate more players or get the bag right now. However, one cannot be surprised if Davis ends up as a Laker for life.