will be the focus this week since he will be eligible for a contract extension. The only question in the minds of pundits is the length of tenure of the four-time NBA champion.
On Thursday, James will be eligible for a contract extension of up to two years. It will be worth $97.1 million, big money that the 18-time All-Star may take up.
However, the Lakers have had a rough couple of years even with James in tow. Some critics have suggested that the Lakers’ struggles could force James to explore other options.
But according to trusted NBA insider and correspondent Marc Stein, this may not be the case. He pointed out that James and his family have been happy in Southern California since arriving in the summer of 2018. However, he did bring up an interesting twist that may happen in 2024 — the year when the superstar’s son Bronny James could enter the NBA.
“The prevailing thinking in league circles holds that only the chance to play elsewhere alongside son Bronny James, who will be eligible for the 2024 draft and continues to develop as an NBA prospect, would spur LeBron to push for an L.A. exit,” the former ESPN and New York Times reporter said.
International Business Times could not independently verify this information.
Given that James may be handed a two-year deal, details remain limited. Factoring in Bronny, the 37-year-old could request the addition of a player option for the 2024-25 season to give him flexibility in playing alongside his son.
Another scenario could see James opt for a one-year deal worth at least $46.7 million. This could help him have options, especially if the Lakers sputter anew for the 2022-23 NBA wars.
It works both ways for James. If the Lakers disappoint, he could explore the market. If they win, he could ask for bigger money to stay in Hollywood.
Despite his age, James has been able to play at a high level. However, factors such as injuries and taking in the wrong players have become a bane for him and the purple and gold.
The Los Angeles Lakers have a new coach in Darvin Ham, someone tasked to turn things around and maximize James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook. The Lakers are upbeat, but another disappointing season could get James, Davis and Westbrook to reconsider their options moving forward.
Photo: Getty Images | Cassy Athena
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