LeBron James holds all the cards — for his future and for that of the Lakers. What will he decide to do in free agency?
Denver Nuggets v Los Angeles Lakers – Game Four / Ronald Martinez/GettyImages
With Dan Hurley opting to stay at Connecticut to chase a three-peat over the glitz and glamor of Los Angeles, all eyes in the City of Angels now turn to one man — LeBron James.
While James is reportedly “very happy” being a Laker, the four-time NBA champion must consider whether the organization still has the means to be an immediate contender.
James will have plenty of options this offseason. The Lakers have made it clear that they want him back and are willing to pay up to the “maximum three-year, $164 million extension they can offer.”
In the short term, James also has a $51.42 million player option that he has until June 29 to opt into.
According to Ben Rohrbach of Yahoo Sports, “[LeBron] can opt-out and re-sign in L.A. for either the short- or long-term, starting at a slightly lower salary ($49.99 million). He can sign anywhere else for anything from a maximum starting salary ($49.35 million) to the veteran minimum ($3.31 million).”
With limited means to make a splashy trade this offseason, one cannot fault LeBron for contemplating his future.
Would he be a good fit in Philadelphia (who could create more than $60 million in cap space)? Could he force a trade back to Miami or Cleveland and help be the final piece? Could a team like Dallas or Phoenix draft Bronny and hope to lure LeBron as well?
The options are endless. And If we know anything about James, things will remain quiet until he no longer wants them to be.
LeBron James’ free agency contract projection
While the possibilities of LeBron teaming up with Luka in Dallas or Embiid in Philadelphia sound intriguing, James will likely stay in Los Angeles. He seems happy and is already preparing for the next stage of his career with SpringHill Company — the production company that he founded in 2020 with Maverick Carter.
Additionally, the Lakers might not give James much of a choice. They can draft Bronny with one of their draft picks (No. 17 and No. 55), or trade up and snag him in the early second round (where he is primarily projected).
Of course, don’t rule out a departure for James. The man is a competitor after all. That won’t just go away into his 40s. However, it is a safer bet that he opts out to sign a bigger contract and (likely) retires a Laker.
News
Kid Rock’s Tribυte to Toby Keith Shatters Atteпdaпce Records, Sυrpassiпg Taylor Swift iп a Historic Celebratioп
Iп aп electrifyiпg display of mυsic, memory, aпd υпity, Kid Rock’s tribυte to the late coυпtry mυsic icoп Toby Keith пot oпly hoпored a beloved artist’s legacy bυt also shattered atteпdaпce records previoυsly set by pop seпsatioп Taylor Swift. This…
Taylor Swift’s Concert Attendance Drops After Harris Endorsement: ‘No Fans, Just Empty Seats and Echoes’ – Satire
Taylor Swift’s Concert Attendance Drops After Harris Endorsement: ‘No Fans, Just Empty Seats and Echoes’ In a surprising twist that no one saw coming—except maybe her angriest fans—Taylor Swift’s once sold-out concert venues have turned into a ghost town after…
David Muir and Linsey Davis fired by ABC: “A disgrace to their profession” controversial- Satire post
In a move that shocked exactly zero people on Twitter but left the world of broadcast journalism reeling, ABC News has reportedly fired debate moderators David Muir and Linsey Davis following their controversial performance during Tuesday night’s presidential debate. The…
Kid Rock and Lee Greenwood shocked the internet with their statement: “We should dedicate a MONTH to VETERANS before PRIDE MONTH.” – Satire post
Kid Rock and Lee Greenwood shocked the internet with their statement: “We should dedicate a MONTH to VETERANS before PRIDE MONTH.” Kid Rock aпd Lee Greeпwood, promiпeпt figυres iп the Αmericaп mυsic iпdυstry, have called for the establishmeпt of a…
Candace Owens and Tucker Carlson Team Up: Shocking Couple Ready to Rock the Late Night Show on ABC! – Satire post
Candace Owens and Tucker Carlson Team Up: Shocking Couple Ready to Rock the Late Night Show on ABC! In a groundbreaking move that promises to disrupt the late-night television landscape, Candace Owens and Tucker Carlson have announced their collaboration on…
Fierce controversy: ABC debate moderators David Muir and Linsey Davis were heavily criticized: “They are embarrassing the profession!”
In a move that shocked exactly zero people on Twitter but left the world of broadcast journalism reeling, ABC News has reportedly fired debate moderators David Muir and Linsey Davis following their controversial performance during Tuesday night’s presidential debate. The…
End of content
No more pages to load