LeBron James is eyeing a sizable new deal from the Los Angeles Lakers this summer, as per NBA insider Brian Windhorst. Windhorst is claiming that James is seeking a multi-year contract that will be nine figures.
“I don’t think this is LeBron’s last stand, I don’t think this is the Lakers’ last stand,” Windhorst said on First Take. “First off, I think LeBron is angling to sign a multi-year deal in the offseason with the Lakers that will be nine figures. That will be even bigger than the deal he is on now. Now, whether or not he’s able to finish that deal, whether or not the Lakers want to give him a three-year contract and pay him $60 million when he’s 42 years old, that’s a different discussion.”
LeBron signed a two-year, $99 million extension with the Lakers in 2022 and is getting paid $47.6 million this season. The 39-year-old has a player option worth $51.4 million for 2024-25 and is seeking quite a raise by the looks of it.
James certainly has played at a very high level this season, averaging 24.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, 7.8 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game. The 20-time All-Star isn’t really showing signs that he is slowing down, but as Windhorst said, would the Lakers want to pay him $60 million when he is 42?
If that’s what it takes for him to say, I think they will give him that deal. It was reported that the Lakers would strongly prefer that James retire with them. They would just be hoping that he can still play at a fairly high level in three years, which isn’t impossible with the way he is going right now.
LeBron James Is Hoping To Retire As A Laker
The organization wants him to stay, and the man himself is hoping he can stay as well. LeBron stated he hopes to retire as a Laker, but he isn’t sure it will happen.
“I am a Laker, and I am happy, very happy, being a Laker the last six years and hopefully it stays that way,” James said. “But I don’t have the answer to how long it is, or which uniform I’ll be in. Hopefully, it is with the Lakers. It’s a great organization, with so many greats with it. I don’t know how it’s going to end, but it’s coming.”
Ultimately, James holds all the cards here. If he gets the kind of deal he wants and if the Lakers make a splash in the offseason, I think he definitely stays. While I believe the first part would be taken care of, the question is whether the Lakers can make a big move. They will have three first-round picks that they can trade this summer and could use them to land a superstar.
LeBron James Is Hoping Ankle Treatment Sets Him Up For A Strong Finish To 2023-24
James has dealt with an ankle issue for quite some time now, and it caused him to miss the Lakers’ last game before the All-Star break and the first one after it. His status for their next two games is up in the air as well, as James and the Lakers, who are now 30-27 on the season, seem to want to get that ankle to the best shape possible.
LeBron is also hoping that his ankle treatment sets him up for a dominant finish to the season. If missing some games in February would help him be at his best when they get to the playoffs, then that’s the route he and the team should be going.
Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News. We really appreciate your support.
