Los Angeles Lakers during Game 4 of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on April 27, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: The user expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading and/or using this photograph, the user agrees to the terms and conditions of the /Keynote USA/Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez//Keynote USA/Getty Images)” src=”https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/h_U9lE19ZtvA9slptcE8dg–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MA–/https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2024-06/184aec10-3633-11ef-9cbb-90b3442ca23c”>
LeBron James has opted out of his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers for next season, his agent, Rich Paul, told KeynoteUSA’s Dave McMenamin, but he is not expected to be a free agent for long.
According to Paul, James is willing to work with the Lakers on a new deal that would be below the maximum three-year, $162 million contract he is eligible for in order to open up the full $12.9 million mid-level exception to allow for the contract. general. Manager Rob Pelinka will sign an “impact player.”
What kind of “impact player”? According to KeynoteUSA, it could be James Harden, Klay Thompson, who is expected to hit free agency, or a big man who can play alongside Anthony Davis.
“He’s prioritizing improving the roster,” Paul told KeynoteUSA on Saturday. “He’s been adamant about showing every effort to improve the roster.”
James had until 5 p.m. ET to inform the Lakers of his decision.
Last time a free agent, James joined the Lakers in 2018, signing a four-year, $154 million deal to head West. He signed a two-year, $97.1 million extension with Los Angeles in 2022, which included a player option for next season.
James is eligible to sign a three-year contract worth a maximum of $162 million to return to the Lakers as a free agent. He is also eligible to sign with any other NBA team for a maximum of $157.5 million over the next three seasons. (The NBA limits contracts for players over 38 to a maximum of three years.)
The 39-year-old is the oldest active player in the NBA, but he shows no signs of slowing down. James averaged 25.7 points (on 54/41/75 shooting splits), 8.3 assists and 7.3 rebounds per game last season, making him third-team All-NBA. He led the Lakers to a berth in the play-in tournament and a No. 7 seed in the Western Conference. They lost to the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs.
Although his free agency decisions are unclear, James said he wanted to retire as a Laker during the 2024 All-Star weekend in February.
“I’m a Laker and I’ve been very happy being a Laker for the last six years, and I hope it stays that way,” James said, just before making his record 20th All-Star appearance.
Another factor to consider was James’ son, Bronny, who was selected by the Lakers with the 55th overall pick on Thursday. James has repeatedly said he hopes to play his final NBA season with Bronny, but he recently said he won’t necessarily leave the Lakers to join his son if he is drafted by another team, and his agent Rich Paul clarified that the two are not in a joint deal.
Right now, the Philadelphia 76ers are the only championship contenders with maximum cap space. James could also orchestrate a sign-and-trade deal with another team or sign anywhere for as little as the veteran minimum, although Paul all but ruled out the latter to KeynoteUSA’s Jonathan Givony.
“LeBron’s not going to Phoenix on a minimum deal either,” Paul said. “We can squash that now.”
At the very least, James will take a pay cut for the 2024-25 season. His maximum starting salary of $50 million is almost $1.5 million less than his option to play for the Lakers. By becoming a free agent, he can now negotiate a no-trade clause with the Lakers, in addition to getting a longer-term contract. This remains the most likely scenario. James’ family, non-basketball business is based in Los Angeles.
The Lakers also just hired James’ podcast co-host JJ Redick to a four-year contract as their new head coach.
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