This week, Lakers fans got a dose of good news when it was announced that NBA megastar LeBron James signed an extension to stay with the Purple Gold.
Even at 37 years old, James remains one of the best players in the game, and his $97.1 million will ensure he sticks around for a while longer.
In his first statement since the extension, Rob Pelinka spoke about James’ importance to the franchise and expressed excitement about having him secured for the foreseeable future.
“LeBron is a generational basketball player who has proven to be even more impactful as a human being,” Pelinka said. “We are thrilled to continue our partnership with him, ensuring he’s a driving force of Lakers culture for years to come. The Lakers platform has proved again and again to be an ideal place for the game’s all-time greats to thrive and achieve. We are thankful LeBron has experienced the power of that. With his transcendent talent, unrivaled passion, and dedication to causing powerful change in our society, LeBron continues to cement his legacy in Los Angeles and around the globe.”
The Lakers announced LeBron’s extension pic.twitter.com/VQR1ssRFS5
— michael corvo (@michaelcorvo_) August 18, 2022
It’s great news for everyone involved, but the hard part starts now. After a nightmarish showing last season, the Lakers have to find out how to make things work with Russell Westbrook.
Of course, the biggest burden falls on LeBron’s shoulders. As the leader and top veteran of this crew, it’s up to Bron to lead the charge and bring out the best in his guys.
It won’t be an easy task, for sure, but LeBron has pulled off some crazy stuff before, and who is to say h can’t do it again? At least now, with some breathing room on his contract situation, he can focus strictly on basketball and leave all the rumors and speculation about his basketball future for another time.
