The Los Angeles Lakers were installed as one of the favorites to win the 2020 NBA title immediately after they won the race to sign Anthony Davis via trade from New Orleans Pelicans earlier this summer. The power forward’s arrival to partner LeBron James was seen as a league altering move but all does not seem to be well when looking at the bigger picture.

Davis will become an unrestricted free agent next summer and his agent Rich Paul has indicated that they will explore it before signing a new deal. The Lakers, however, are hoping Davis commits his long-term future to the team rather than become a one-year rental for which they gave up a number of assets in terms of young players and draft picks.

The former Pelicans forward has only had positive comments about life with the Lakers and James thus far and is hoping to challenge for the title this upcoming campaign. However, according to FS1 analyst and NBA insider Ric Bucher, Davis is not fully committed to the Lakers in terms of staying long-term as he is keen to see how this season unfolds.

LeBron James
LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers stands for the national anthem prior to the game against the Washington Wizards at Staples Center in Los Angeles, March 26, 2019. Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images

The caveat to playing with LeBron, according to Bucher, is that if the Lakers perform at their best and win the title or even make a deep run in the playoffs, most of the credit goes to the three-time NBA champion. However, if the Lakers underperform, the blame will be on the other players for not stepping up and helping the 15-time All-Star, who is considered among the greatest the NBA has seen.

It is suggested that the one reason the likes of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George did not join the Lakers is that they do not want to be No. 2 behind James, which is likely to happen owing to his standing in the game. The duo rate themselves on par with the three-time NBA champion at present and want to be responsible for their achievements or failures.

The Lakers will be hoping and praying Davis commits his long-term future to the team next summer but it is certainly going to depend on the team’s fortunes this coming season. The purple and gold have failed to make the playoffs for six consecutive campaigns and their first goal will be to end that drought but the main focus remains the Larry O’Brien trophy.

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