LeBron James could become the biggest free agent to hit the market if he is interested in looking for a switch this summer. He is expected to opt out of a $51 million player option on his Lakers contract, but all indicators point towards James likely re-signing with the franchise. Dave McMenamin has reported that the Lakers have a maximum 3-year extension lined up for James already.
“James has until June 29 to opt into the final year of his contract with the Lakers or become an unrestricted free agent. L.A. is committed to re-signing James and would offer the maximum three-year deal for which James is eligible to take him through his 24th season in the league, sources told ESPN.”
If James actually extends for a three-year max, he will net $160 million over that span, netting an average salary of $53.3 million per season. It’s a marginal increase on what he’s making right now, but it would take James through to the 2027-28 season if he wanted to continue playing until then.
With LeBron’s younger son, Bryce, also expected to eventually be an NBA-level talent, James might somehow play with/against both his children on an NBA court before retiring. James would be 44 years old at the end of this contract as well.
In terms of production, the price really can’t be disputed. James averaged 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 8.3 assists last year for a historic 21st season in the NBA. He was named to his 20th All-NBA Team, the most in NBA history with each selection coming consecutively. It’ll be hard for James to continue playing at the All-NBA level as he gets older, but it’s hard to doubt how impactful he is on the court for this team.
JJ Redick Wants LeBron James To Shoot More Threes
New Lakers head coach JJ Redick is already preparing to use LeBron in his schemes despite his impending free agency. He openly discussed how he intends to have James be a more willing shooter in the 2024-25 season based on his performance last season.
“With LeBron, you have to certainly get buy-in and talk to him about how he wants to play. He and I have joked about this, but he shot over 40% from three this season. I want him shooting threes. He’s going to have three or four bursts every game where he gets out in transition and does things no one at his age should be able to do, but he does it. It’s figuring out in the half-court, putting him in different spots both as a scorer and facilitator. That’ll be the conversation over the next couple of months.”
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James shot 41.0% from three on 5.1 attempts per game last season, the best shooting numbers of his career by a long shot. That efficiency would put James among the top tier of shooters in the NBA, an incredible achievement for a player who has been criticized for over a decade for not being a reliable enough shooter.
If James is a legitimate 40% shooter from three next season as well on increased volume, he legitimately will be able to extend his career by a few more seasons in the NBA.
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