National Basketball Association (NBA) all-time record scorer LeBron James has remained relatively quiet about his future with the Los Angeles Lakers following the conclusion of their 2023/24 league season.
James currently has until June 29 to make a decision about his future and to decide whether to opt for the final year of his contract with the Lakers. This would mean signing an extension with the team, totaling $164 million over three years, or opting out of the extension, which would make him a free agent and allow him to re-sign with the Lakers or another franchise.
It seems like the Lakers’ front office has made their decision regarding the 39-year-old. NBA insider and ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reports that the franchise is prepared to offer him a three-year maximum contract extension worth around $162 million.
The Lakers are committed to signing LeBron James to a 3-year, $162M max contract, per @mcten.
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) June 25, 2024
39-years-old: $50M
40-years-old: $54M
41-years-old: $58M
Unreal money for a 41-year-old 🤯 pic.twitter.com/ReyOdC1AOY
According to the NBA’s rules, LeBron James can be offered no more than a three-year deal due to the rule limiting the length and duration of contracts for players over the age of 38.
A three-year deal would see LeBron James represent the franchise through his 41-year season, a rarity in the league’s history. While his caliber and commercial value are undeniable, there are concerns about his increasing injury issues, although he did start 71 games last season, the most he has played in a season since 2017/18.
However, the Lakers know that they cannot afford to undercut James, as there is no shortage of suitors for his signing. The Philadelphia 76ers have emerged as a team very keen to add James to their roster for the 2024/25 NBA season. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst revealed on Get Up that Philadelphia is a “threat” but not a “serious threat” to lure the 39-year-old away from the Lakers.
The 76ers certainly have the salary cap flexibility as they could create up to $65 million in cap space, and LeBron James would also have the opportunity to pair with NBA All-Stars Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey while playing in a relatively easier Eastern Conference.
Another interesting aspect centers around LeBron’s son, Bronny James, who has declared for the 2024 NBA Draft. He has expressed his desire of playing with his son Bronny before he retires from basketball game, and whichever team drafts Bronny would have a strong chance of landing the superstar.
James was his usual brilliant self on the court last season, averaging 25.7 points on 54.0 percent shooting, 8.3 assists, and 7.3 rebounds per game. There remains no doubt that he is more than capable of playing at an elite level, and it will be intriguing to see how this situation pans out, especially with limited time remaining for a decision.
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