As expected, Los Angeles Lakers big man Anthony Davis will not exercise his player option for the 2020-21 season, a decision that will make him an unrestricted free agent.
While we’ve known this was Davis’ plan since October, Yahoo Sports’ Chris Haynes reports that the decision is now official.
Davis can earn more money in 2020-21 by signing a new max contract, even with the less than expected $109M salary cap. Electing not to pick up the player option from the rookie scale is simply basic NBA economics.
Davis’ player option was worth $28.8 million. He’ll now be eligible to sign for $32.7 million in 2020-21, with baked in 8% raises over the course of a five-year contract.
With Davis’ decision to not exercise his option now all but locked in, Brandon Ingram of the New Orleans Pelicans becomes the hottest commodity on the free agent market.
See our list of the top NBA free agents broken into tiers.
