Anthony Davis opting out to become unrestricted free agent

In his very first season with the Los Angeles Lakers, former Kentucky Wildcat star Anthony Davis won his first NBA Championship. The one-two punch of Davis and LeBron James proved to be too much for anyone in the NBA Playoffs as they rolled through everyone that stepped in their path in Orlando.

One would assume that everyone would be on board for the magic to continue, and that certainly may be the case. But as of Sunday, Davis chose to opt out of the player option in his contract for next season. He is forgoing the $28.7 million he would make next year to become an unrestricted free agent.

Some are freaking out over this news, but there is really no reason to think that Davis does not intend to return to Los Angeles. Less than two months ago, he told Chris Haynes from Yahoo Sports that he plans on playing with LeBron for a long time.

“You see the work and preparation LeBron puts in every day, and you understand why this is his 10th NBA Finals appearance. He never stops,” Davis told Haynes before Game 1 against the Miami Heat. “I plan to follow this mother------ to hopefully nine more Finals. We’re all ready to go.”

If the reports of Davis opting out are true, it could just be an indication that he plans to be a Laker long-term. In becoming an unrestricted free agent, he is eligible to sign a five-year supermax contract with Los Angeles that will total more than $200. James is signed on for at least two more years with the Lakers, so it would make sense that Davis would look to secure a long-term deal to try and keep LeBron in purple for the rest of his career.

The news for Davis’ pending signing with the Lakers, or potentially someone else, should not be too far away. Stay tuned to A Sea of Blue for any updates as they are available.