From August 4th, LeBron James can sign an early contract extension with the Los Angeles Lakers. But does he even want that? The King’s future could become a source of trouble, even if a trend is emerging.
You would have to be an NBA talk show host, because boredom is a foreign word to the radio and TV show hosts in the US media – even in the middle of summer, the actual pickle season. But while the trade speculation about Kevin Durant, Donovan Mitchell and Co. has long been a beard, the next highlight for the Stephen A. Smiths and Skip Baylesses of this world is already looming.
The topic promises ratings like no other – at least in the NBA offseason – as it is about the currently most popular basketball player in the world and his future with the number one glitter franchise: Is LeBron James extending his contract in LA prematurely? Or will the King continue to let the Lakers dangle by his puppet strings?
Actually, LeBron is still under contract until 2023, after the coming season he will become an unrestricted free agent and could look around on the open market. Of course, the Lakers don’t want to let it get that far. The franchise can already present the 37-year-old with an early contract extension. More precisely, from August 4th.
So from Thursday the topic will be hotly debated. If there is no agreement at first, things could simmer over Hollywood for a while. LeBron has the power to quickly put a stop to rumors surrounding his future. On the other hand, he could use them as leverage to set fire to the Lakers front office. And somewhere in the distance, the ex from Ohio is making beautiful eyes again.
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LeBron James: The Lakers are no longer a no-brainer
When James last had to make a decision on a new working paper in December 2020, it required little effort from the brain cells. He had just led the traditional franchise from the City of Angels to its 17th title in the Disney World bubble, his world shimmering in purple and gold. His signature to a new two-year contract that would tie him to the Lakers through 2023 and net him $85 million was a no-brainer.
Now the decision is no longer quite so clear. Since the bubble championship, there has been a first-round loss in 2021 and perhaps the biggest disappointment in franchise history, aka the 2021/22 Lakers season.
The trade for Russell Westbrook was a failure, but the Lakers have not yet got rid of the point guard. With the trio of James, Anthony Davis and Westbrook, the squad has been turned upside down, but the playoffs are anything but guaranteed for the coming season. That cannot be the claim for James in the fall of his career.
LeBron James: The Lakers star has these options
But what are his options now? Basically, James has three options to choose from:
- Option #1: Don’t renew. Next season LeBron earns $44.5 million, then he becomes an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2023 and he has free choice.
- Option #2: Renew early for another year. That would ensure him another $46.7 million after the coming season and he would become an unrestricted free agent in 2024.
- Option #3: Renew early for a further two years, presumably with a player option. That contract would guarantee the King $97.1 million and tie him to the Lakers through 2025 – or he could also become UFA in 2024 thanks to the player option.
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If you’re wondering why James can’t sign a long-term contract, that’s because of the Over-38-Rule. As he crosses the 38-year threshold next season, his new contract counts as one and limits the early contract extension to two more years.
As an unrestricted free agent, he could be next summer, according to Keith Smith (Spotter) but also sign for three years – interestingly, the Lakers’ potential offers hardly differ from those of the rival teams. In the first year, LeBron can earn a maximum of 105 percent of his previous year’s salary ($46.7 million) or 35 percent of the salary cap (although this would be less than the 105 percent according to current cap predictions), regardless of the team.
The Lakers’ only advantage is that they can offer a more lucrative raise over the course of the new contract, meaning a two-year, $97.1 million contract or a three-year, $151.3 million deal. As for the 29 other franchises, James could sign for two years and $95.7 million or three years and $147.1 million. So the differences are marginal, LeBron’s decision will not be about money.
Page 1: LeBron James – These are his contract options
Page 2: LeBron James – When the ex makes beautiful eyes again
