Anthony Davis Says He Has 'No Idea' If He Will Opt Out of Lakers Contract

The champagne was still flowing, and the confetti likely hadn't been swept away before Anthony Davis was asked to address his future with the Los Angeles Lakers following the team's 106-93 win over the Miami Heat on Sunday night to win the 2019-20 NBA title.

Davis has a $28.8 million player option for the 2020-21 season, and he was cagey when asked if he would exercise that option or what his future might hold in free agency:

It's hard to imagine Davis leaving the Lakers after winning a title, especially with LeBron James under contract for at least one more season (he has a $41 million player option for the 2021-22 season). L.A.'s title window is wide open.

Yes, the competition might be stiffer a year from now. Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson will be healthy again. Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and the Los Angeles Clippers will have had more time to develop chemistry. We'll get to see what the Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant partnership looks like in Brooklyn. Perhaps the Milwaukee Bucks will get Giannis Antetokounmpo more help. Other talented teams could be improved.

On the other hand, talented veterans might be interested in joining the Lakers to win a title later in their careers, a la players like Danny Green, Rajon Rondo, Dwight Howard and JaVale McGee. The Lakers are most certainly a destination again.

But it's hard to imagine Davis returning at that $28.7 million figure, which is well below market value for a player of his ability. Even if he opts out, Davis would still be eligible to sign a five-year, $172.5 million deal with the Lakers. That average value of $34.4 million is obviously superior to the $28.7 million player option, with five years of financial security.

Granted, there are no guarantees regarding next season's salary cap. But opting out and signing a long-term deal makes far more sense for Davis. It's hard to imagine the Lakers will balk at the chance to lock him up for the next half-decade.