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Los Angeles Lakers: Why 2019 might be the only chance to win a title

By Jason Reed

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 24: (L-R) NBA players Anthony Davis and LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers and Lakers Executive Administrator, Player Programs and Logistics, Randy Mims attend Game Four of the 2019 WNBA Playoff semifinals between the Washington Mystics and the Las Vegas Aces at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on September 24, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Mystics defeated the Aces 94-90 and won the series 3-1. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 24: (L-R) NBA players Anthony Davis and LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers and Lakers Executive Administrator, Player Programs and Logistics, Randy Mims attend Game Four of the 2019 WNBA Playoff semifinals between the Washington Mystics and the Las Vegas Aces at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on September 24, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Mystics defeated the Aces 94-90 and won the series 3-1. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

1. Anthony Davis can just walk away after 2019

Perhaps the one thing that should worry fans of the Los Angeles Lakers the most is the fact that Anthony Davis has not given the team any sort of long-term commitment and could simply leave in free agency if he wanted to next summer.

Now, so far, Davis has given Laker fans some relief. According to ESPN‘s Adrian Wojnarowski back in June, Davis has made it clear to the Lakers (not publically) that he would sign an extension with the team in 2020 free agency (h/t Bleacher Report).

That is great and all but that not guarantee anything. Davis has already made it clear that he just wants to focus on this year and cross that bridge when it gets here.

Not committing right away shows that Davis is not fully bought into the idea of signing an extension with the Lakers. Sure, that might be his intentions right now, but he is leaving that room for error in case he changes his mind.

There is the risk of him not liking playing with LeBron James, whether it is the feeling that you are always a sidekick or it is the scapegoat narrative that the media creates. Why do you think LeBron has been so insistent on Davis being “the guy” for LA this year?

There are also other alternatives for Davis in free agency and he would be the coveted target of next summer, which is a very weak free-agent class. Perhaps he wants to go home to the Chicago Bulls, maybe he wants to go to South Beach with Jimmy Butler.

There are alternatives and if this does not work out in year one, Davis can just leave the Lakers out to dry, leading into our second point.

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