Topic: We ask what is the maximum amount of money the Los Angeles Lakers should pay to bring back Ed Davis this off-season
Context: The Lakers didn’t have much to cheer for this season, and much of the attention down the stretch was given to rookie Jordan Clarkson, and deservedly so. What may have been forgotten, however, is the play of Ed Davis throughout the season.
Signed by the Lakers to a minimum contract, Davis outplayed his deal averaging career highs in points (8.3), rebounds (7.6), blocks (1.2), and field goal percentage (.601). Davis knew his role and played it to perfection, emerging as a great finisher in the pick-and-roll and the team’s only half-decent rim protector.
Even when he wasn’t playing a ton of minutes, Davis always seemed to make an impact whenever he was on the floor. He isn’t without his limitations, however.
He is a complete non-factor away from the basket on offense, which can kill spacing. While he gives great effort on defense, he is still a relatively thin big man and thus was constantly overpowered by bruising post players, thus limiting his effectiveness.
Nonetheless, Davis is the perfect big man to have coming off the bench and he and the Lakers both want him to remain with the team. His play, however, has earned him a pay raise but how much is too much to give him?
— Have you seen the ‘Bleed Purple and Gold’ phone case? —
Verdict: We went to Twitter to ask the Lakers Nation followers the maximum amount of money they would give Ed Davis this off-season. These are some of the responses:
@TheeCoreyH @LakersNation #LNDebate $4-6m over 4 years, will be great value after the cap explodes
— Stuart O (@Stu83art) June 7, 2015
@TheeCoreyH @LakersNation No way #Lakers can afford to give him more than $5M/year. If it means giving him 3 years, I’d take it. #LNDebate
— Anthony S. Khoury (@askmeabouthelaw) June 7, 2015
@TheeCoreyH @LakersNation “I would give Ed Davis 4-5 million a year for 4 years with an option after year 3” #LNDebate
— The Coach and O Show (@thecoachando) June 7, 2015
@TheeCoreyH cap space is up, don’t mind paying @eddavis32 $9mil/3yrs w team option he earned it. He is a starter in other teams #LNDebate
— R0 (@dishtherocc) June 7, 2015
@TheeCoreyH @LakersNation 19.5 million for 3 years. (6.5 per) love the energy he brings and would be great off the bench #LNDebate
— J. R. L. (@j_rob3K) June 7, 2015
@TheeCoreyH @LakersNation #LNDebate Max for Ed Davis should be 4.5 Million.
— Pete Fernandez Sr. (@jc4moi) June 7, 2015
The fans have spoken and while there were some higher and some lower, the majority of fans seem to believe that Davis is worth keeping at around $4-5 million per year. I agree that would be a fair price, but whether the Lakers will even be able to give Davis that money is a question mark.
The key to Davis’ return is what, if any, big-name players join the Lakers in free agency. Giving someone like Kevin Love a max deal would basically take all of the Lakers’ available cap space. Signing a younger player like Tobias Harris, whose max salary is much lower, would leave the Lakers room to retain him.
Davis is someone I’d like to see remain with the team and a big man rotation of Davis, Julius Randle, Tarik Black, and (hopefully) Jahlil Okafor/Karl-Anthony Towns would be excellent. The Lakers can’t afford to overpay role players and their focus will be on bigger names first and foremost. If there is money to spare afterwards, a few million should go towards bringing Ed back.
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