Haynes: Anthony Davis turns down extension, will become a free agent

The Los Angeles Lakers star can earn an extra $56 million by waiting to sign a contract in the offseason.

Anthony Davis isn’t giving anybody a hometown discount and in case that wasn’t already clear, Davis and his representatives sent that message to the Los Angeles Lakers on Jan. 7, the first day that Davis was eligible to be offered an extension.

Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports reported on Tuesday that the Lakers offered Davis a four-year, $146 million extension, but that Davis’ representatives turned it down in favor of heading into free agency this coming July. Davis can also sign for an extra year and an extra $56 million by waiting to sign a contract once he officially becomes a free agent.

This move is the fiscally responsible move for Davis and his reps and the same goes for the Lakers making the offer, even if they knew that Davis was unlikely to accept given the financial ramifications of accepting a deal now.

The Lakers and Davis will revisit these talks once the season ends, but now the story can be put to bed until then.

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