Lakers New Signing Not Ready To Commit, Reveals Kawhi Recruitment Tactic

Anthony Davis, unlike Kyrie, Irving is not ready to make a commitment to the Los Angeles Lakers beyond the upcoming season. The latter committed to Boston Celtics about wanting to re-sign with them last October but then moved to Brooklyn Nets in free agency this summer.

The former New Orleans Pelicans power forward was signed by the Lakers via a trade earlier in the summer, but he will enter free agency in July next year. Davis’ agent made it clear that his client has no intention of signing a new deal until he becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2020 but Lakers are among the teams being considered to be his long-term home.

Davis was asked about his future plans during a recent interview with ESPN’s Rachel Nichols, but he refused to divulge any details by simply stating that he is focused on the upcoming campaign with the Lakers and challenge for the NBA championship alongside LeBron James.

Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans watches the action against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, Feb. 22, 2019. Andy Lyons/Getty Images

“I don’t know what’s going to happen, I have one year here and I’m going to make the best of the year and when that time comes around summer or whenever the season gets over. Hopefully, around mid-June after we just finished the parade and I need a couple of days to think, then we can talk about that but until then I’m just focused on helping this team win this year,” Davis said with a smile.

Davis also admitted that he was involved in trying to recruit Kawhi Leonard to the Lakers, who were desperate to add a third star to complement the power forward and James. But the former Pelicans star revealed that it was difficult as Leonard is not a big “recruiter type of guy”.

The six-time NBA All-Star also revealed that he was heavily involved in the recruitment process during free agency by confirming that general manager Rob Pelinka constantly called asking about different players. The Lakers, following the addition of Davis, have since added DeMarcus Cousins, Danny Green and re-signed Rajon Rondo and are among the favorites to dominate the Western Conference this season.