The Los Angeles Lakers just agreed to terms with big man Anthony Davis on a contract deal that would bind him to the organization for the next five seasons and potentially pay him up to $270 million during that time, though it is expected to be slightly less.
Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has also been compensated well by his franchise after establishing himself among the league’s finest, is no stranger to publicly commenting on such matters on social media. And, in classic Antetokounmpo fashion, he did so while cracking jokes.
The Bucks superstar joked about some of the fees and taxes linked with Davis’ monster contract in response to a tweet about the financial breakdown of Davis’ deal:
Antetokounmpo’s joke refers to two of the payments a player must pay upon signing a contract, with FICA being a social security and medicare fund and the jock tax being a provision that forces athletes playing outside their home state to pay taxes in that state.
Seeing Davis sign a record-breaking agreement had to be a wonderful feeling for Antetokounmpo, who may be a free agent in 2025 and will almost certainly be in for a bigger pay day.
Could the Lakers start Jaxson Hayes alongside Davis?
One speculation that has persisted throughout the offseason is that center Jaxson Hayes might start with Anthony Davis, returning the Lakers to the two-big formula that led to a title in 2020.
Hayes, a previous lottery pick in 2019, is an extraordinarily athletic big man who can run the floor and finish at the rim while also providing some rim protection. He has yet to put it all together in his four years in the NBA, but the Lakers are optimistic that they will be able to unlock his potential, ideally alongside Davis.
According to recent sources, the Lakers are optimistic that Hayes will be able to start at center and play a significant role for the team with Davis in two-big man combinations.
It remains to be seen how things pan out, but Davis has made no secret of his desire to play less center and may get his wish this season.