The Los Angeles Lakers pose for a group photo with the Larry O'Brien NBA Championship Trophy and the Bill Russell NBA Finals MVP Trophy after their 4-2 victory over the Miami Heat in the Finals at the AdventHealth Arena in Orlando, Florida, October 11, 2020. /VCG
The Los Angeles Lakers won their 17th NBA championship in franchise history, which was also the fourth of LeBron James and the first of Anthony Davis. The fact that they won it in misfortune year only made the title even more special.
While everyone was happy, the Lakers' front office may need to leave the parties behind, sit back in front of the desk and figure out how to deal with their current lineup.
Anthony Davis #3 of ther Los Angeles Lakers dunks in Game 6 of the NBA Finals against the Miami Heat at the AdventHealth Arena, October 11, 2020. /VCG
Anthony Davis
Though he was not the Finals MVP, the fact is, the arrival of Davis brought the purple and gold Larry O'Brien Trophy this season. He still has one year (about $28.8 million) left of his current contract and he can choose to opt out of it. If he does, Davis will become an unrestricted free agent and can sign a new five-year deal worth $189.9 million with the Lakers.
Hold on that thought because there are other ways to further maximize Davis' earnings. First, he can sign a 1+1 contract and opt out again in 2021 summer to sign a new extension. However, considering that the salary cap may not grow much next year, the increase of Davis' income will still be limited.
ESPN's expert Bobby Marks suggested that Davis sign a 2+1 contract with the Lakers and opt out of it in 2022 summer. There will be several benefits via doing so. First, Davis will be qualified for Designated Veteran Player Extension, which is also known as a supermax deal. If the NBA revenues return to normal in 2022, Davis can sign a five-year contract worth $243.6 million with the team.
LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives towards the rim in Game 6 of the NBA Finals against the Miami Heat at the AdventHealth Arena, October 11, 2020. /VCG
LeBron James
James received the fourth Finals MVP of his for good reasons. He led in average points (29.8), rebounds (11.8), true shooting percentage (67.1) and effective field goal percentage (65.7) of the two teams' major rotations during the series. James still has two years ($39.2 million and $41 million) left of his current deal with the Lakers.
The purple and gold have the right to extend James contract this summer by another two years, paying him $43 million and $46.5 million in the last two years. Despite his incredible performance this season, James is turning 36 years old in December. Leading the team to win the 17th title definitely deserves reward. The Lakers will need to decide how much the reward should be.
Others with player option
The following four guys have player option during the off-season: Rajon Rondo, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, JaVale McGee and Avery Bradley.
Rajon Rondo of the Los Angeles Lakers passes the ball in Game 6 of the NBA Finals against the Miami Heat at the AdventHealth Arena, October 11, 2020. /VCG
Averaging 8.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.0 steals during the Finals did not tell how important Rondo was to the Lakers. He is the team's second orchestrator, bond of perimeter defense and ball distributor in half-court offense.
According to Chris Sheridan of BasketballNews.com, Rondo will understandably opt out of the $2.7-million deal of his to become an unrestricted player. Judging by his performance in the playoffs and his old age (34 year), it should not be hard for Rondo to get a two-year, $16-million deal.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots the ball in Game 6 of the NBA Finals against the Miami Heat at the AdventHealth Arena, October 11, 2020. /VCG
Pope averaged 12.8 points, the third-highest of the Lakers during the Finals. His defense of Duncan Robinson was very impressive. Though his 30.3-percent 3-point rate was not pretty but Pope took 43 triple attempts, the most of the team and made 13 of them, the second most of the purple and gold. He fit well playing along James.
Pope's contract will pay him $8.5 million next year. If he opts out of it, he may receive a similar number of average annual salary.
JaVale McGee of the Los Angeles Lakers holds the Larry O'Brien NBA Championship Trophy for a portrait after the team's 4-2 victory over the Miami Heat in the Finals at the AdventHealth Arena, October 11, 2020. /VCG
Neither McGee nor Bradley got much chance in the bubble in Orlando. If McGee opts out of his contract, he should still be able to find a new job thanks to his size, athleticism and finishing ability. Bradley, by contrast, may not be that lucky.
The Lakers won't have much cap space even if they let all of the four go. Usually champions don't change their franchise by too much, figuring out how keeping (some of) the aforementioned guys may be a smart option. The purple and gold have a $9.3-million mid-level exception, a $6-million bi-annual exception and veteran minimum deals to lure the good ones from a pool of Jeff Teague, D. J. Augustin, Jordan Clarkson, Maurice Harkless, JaMychal Green and Derrick Favors.