NBA insider speculates Anthony Davis could lose Lakers spot in a few years: "I wonder if AD is still even playing then"
Anthony Davis is one of the top two-way players in the NBA. The LA Lakers star continues to be the biggest factor in his team's success, even with LeBron James on the team. While many might think Davis would end his career as a Laker, The Athletic’s Jovan Buha says otherwise.
Buha was on his show for the "Lakers mailbag" segment, answering Lakers fans' questions. A fan asked the Lakers analyst to name the players on the roster who would still be on the team five years from now.
Buha said that in five years, in 2029, Anthony Davis will be 36 or 37 by the time the team is in the season.
"AD in 2029 would be turning — he’d already be 36, gonna be turning 37 that season," Buha said [37:44]. "I wonder if AD is still even playing then. I think he’s capable of still playing then and still being effective, but five years from now, 36-year-old, 37-year-old Anthony Davis, given his injury history, I do wonder."
Moreover, Buha added that he doesn't think Davis would even be on the Lakers in five years. However, he added that even if he is on the team, he would not be the primary option for the Lakers.
"My guess AD is not on the Lakers at that point, but maybe he’s the second or third guy next to a new star or a new couple of stars."
LeBron James was the biggest reason that Anthony Davis came to play for the Lakers. Given the fact that James will turn 40 this December and his career is limited, Davis still playing for the Lakers in the post-LeBron era is a curious question.
Anthony Davis reveals his mentality going into next season
Anthony Davis had one of the best regular seasons of his career last season. He was one of the best defenders in the league and averaged almost 25 points a game. However, the Lakers' run ended in the first round of the 2023-24 playoffs.
This season, the Lakers center is determined to will his team to get into winning games. Speaking to the media, Davis said that he plans to be aggressive and dominant in every game this season.
"Being aggressive every time down the court, being dominant every game," Davis told reporters. "Doing my job, doing my part in helping this team do what we gotta do."
"Being a leader of the team, carrying us in games, playoffs, whatever it takes," Davis continued. "Obviously, it's a team effort in what we're trying to build, but for me personally just taking it upon myself to make sure that I'm even better than I was last year."
Given how effective Anthony Davis can be on a given night, it wouldn't be surprising to see a different version of AD if he remains healthy.