Rob Pelinka and the Los Angeles Lakers are feeling confident about the recovery progress of their superstar tandem in LeBron James and Anthony Davis from their respective foot issues last season.
After a grinding, yet productive 2022-23 season that saw themselves reaching the West Finals, the Lakers have pivoted and are now hoping that both of their stars are making significant rest with the offseason now underway.
“We feel good about the offseason and the treatment that AD and LeBron are getting,” Pelinka said during halftime of the Lakers’ summer league match against the Charlotte Hornets this Sunday, via Dave McMenamin of ESPN. “All the reports have been good around both those injuries, in terms of the guys being able to move past them.”
13 of the 27 games that James missed last regular season was due to a torn tendon in his right foot. Amid the persistent pain, James opted to play through it on the Lakers’ postseason campaign instead of taking a necessary surgery.
It was reported following their Conference Finals exit against the Denver Nuggets that the 39-year-old future hall of famer could undergo a medical surgery to address it as the injury appeared to have affected him at the latter part of their memorable postseason run.
Meanwhile, Davis has missed 20-straight games after suffering with a bone spur and stress reaction in his right foot.
Other than his health, the Lakers have an important decision to make around Davis’ future with them as the star big man is eligible to ink a three-year extension worth $167MM starting on Aug. 4. For now, both James and Davis are tied with the Lakers and they have a player option for the 2024-25 season.
As such, citing the effectiveness of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, Pelinka declined to discuss their contract plans about Davis, but insisted the big man’s worth and significance for them since they joined their huddle back in the 2019-20 season.
“I wish the CBA allowed us to talk about negotiations … but there’s pretty strict rules around that,” Pelinka said about Davis, who averaged 25.9 points and 12.5 boards in 56 regular season games last 22-23. “So can’t really talk about contracts and negotiations, but couldn’t think more highly of Anthony Davis as a Laker and as a player. He’s helped deliver a championship to our franchise.
“He’s been an incredible captain and leader. We saw last year, willing to play through a hard foot injury to get our team to the Western Conference finals. So, just love having him as a part of our team.”
