Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis. Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports

Lakers agree to record contract extension with Anthony Davis 

The Los Angeles Lakers have agreed to a contract extension with eight-time All-Star forward Anthony Davis, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. The extension is worth $186 million and will prolong his stay with the Lakers until the end of the 2027-28 season. 

Since getting traded to the Lakers in 2019, Anthony Davis has been named to two All-Star teams and helped lead the franchise to a championship during the 2020 season. However, things haven't been smooth sailing for the former New Orleans Pelicans star since he won the only championship of his career. In the ensuing seasons, Davis has struggled with a string of injuries that have limited his ability to reach his MVP-caliber level of play. 

Nevertheless, it would appear that Rob Pelinka and the Lakers front office believe in Davis and continue to see him as the long-term successor to LeBron James. To begin the 2022-23 NBA season, the Lakers seemed destined to ride Davis to a deep playoff run, as the veteran big man dominated all before him. Unfortunately, a foot injury suffered against the Denver Nuggets derailed Davis' season, and he was unable to rediscover the same level of dominance for the remainder of the basketball year.

Now, Davis will need to prove that he's worth the additional investment from the Lakers. Pelinka has done an admirable job in rebuilding the roster on the fly, highlighted by the midseason additions of D'Angelo Russell and Rui Hachimura, who both excelled at times after making their way to the Golden Coast. However, Davis is the player who the Lakers will turn to during crunch time. 

For all of his greatness, LeBron will turn 39 during the upcoming season. Now is the time for Davis to step into the forefront of the Lakers' offensive and defensive system. If the veteran big man can play at his best and remain healthy, he will have a major hand in who ends up hoisting the Larry O'Brien trophy next year. 

The Lakers are betting on Davis stepping up to the challenge. Only time will tell if that was a bet worth making.  

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Welcome to the WNBA: Caitlin Clark sets infamous record in debut
Jalen Brunson leads Knicks to blowout win in Game 5 vs. Pacers
Nikola Jokic torches DPOY to lead Nuggets past Wolves in Game 5
Oilers use late heroics to tie Canucks at two games each
Watch: Astros pitcher ejected after foreign substance check
Kirk Cousins not angry with Falcons because winning is 'hard enough'
Bronny James has surprising comments on potentially teaming up with LeBron
Bills add two-time Super Bowl champ to new-look WR room
Brewers lose team-leading home run hitter to injured list
Sandy Alderson denies involvement in Mets, Billy Eppler IL controversy
Twins reliever shut down for six weeks with patellar tendon tear
Chris Finch throws shade at Nuggets star over Rudy Gobert’s fine
Cardinals head coach warns not to bet against Kyler Murray
Details emerge on Jason Kelce’s role at ESPN
Rangers defenseman wins Mark Messier Leadership Award
Ex-NFL head coach takes over as Arena Football League commish
Yankees young stud takes major step in return from injury
See top groupings for Rounds 1 and 2 at 2024 PGA Championship
Former Bruins winger dead at 75
Super Bowl-winning safety plans to retire after 2024 season

Want more Lakers news?

Join the hundreds of thousands of fans who start their day with Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the best newsletter in sports.