Basketball superstar LeBron James opt for another year at the Los Angeles Lakers. It could be the last.
At first glance, it seems as if the “king” grace had to do. Lebron James, the “King”, decided at the weekend to stay with the Los Angeles Lakers. He could have got out of his still running contract because he has a “player option”, that is, the right to shape his future himself. The remarkable is how he used this option.
“LeBron wants to play for the championship”
In his 23rd year in the NBA, James will include $ 52.6 million in accordance with the contract. The fact that the 40-year-old, more or less the inventor of the player option, stay with the Lakers and therefore does not want to take the other chance of a change as a so-called “Free Agent”: James probably has no other option. And: his 23rd season could also be his last.
“LeBron wants to play for the championship,” said his agent Rich Paul several US media. At the same time, however, he knew that the Lakers want to shape the future. And this future means: Luca Doncic. The 26 -year -old Slovenian came from the Dallas Mavericks over the past season. James could no longer have a say in how he did this often enough in the past.
“King” James doesn’t help the Lakers with the finances
In fact, the Lakers could have extended the contract with James beyond the coming season – according to media reports, there were no discussions about it. At the same time, Paul also let: the “King” will not cut back on the salary in order to help finance a better squad and to avoid the “Salary Cap” of around $ 154 million.
During his time at Miami Heat, James had agreed to such a deal, Dirk Nowitzki did more than once in the course of his career. The financial means of the Lakers are initially limited, which has already followed: Guard Austin Reaves declined a contract extension over the maximum possible $ 89.2 million for four years.
Lebron’s wife Savannah wants him to stop
And then there is August 2. On this day, Doncic should and can sign a new contract, the Lakers can currently only offer him four years and $ 228 million. However, it could only be $ 165 million for three years – with an effective player option. Then Doncic would have the right to a “Supermax Deal” over five years to 35 percent of the total salary budget.
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And James? Does he play his last season? His wife Savannah probably has a clear opinion on how to eat in New York’s meal last week. You can hear in a video snippet appeared on Instagram, as James says: Savannah “wants me to do a damn again next year or something”. (Sid/OJ)
