Jeanie Buss caused a social media firestorm last week with her actions when she was seated courtside with LeBron James. Buss and Linda Rambis were all over LeBron, with the Los Angeles Lakers governor even placing her head on his shoulders. Rachel Nichols commented on the whole situation during an appearance on Undisputed.
Rachel Nichols: “Smart man, LeBron. He is about to go into a summer where he is trying to negotiate a new contract. He wants the max, he wants $54 million a year for three years until he’s 42 years old. And look the Lakers have a history of overpaying aging superstars that they feel loyal to but still a little schmoozing doesn’t hurt.”
Nichols stated LeBron was putting himself in a position to get a big deal by saying and doing all the right things.
Rachel Nichols: “As for the Jeanie Buss part of the equation, I don’t have an issue with most of the jokes that went across the internet. Most of them were in bounds. She’s tough. It’s fine.”
https://twitter.com/undisputed/status/1767217782658416853
Nichols did, however, take issue with Antonio Brown posting an inappropriate picture of James, Buss, and Rambis. While co-hosts Skip Bayless and Keyshawn Johnson suggested that Brown isn’t someone worth paying attention to, she felt his words still hold weight as he is a former Super Bowl champion.
Nichols added that if given another chance, Buss would have acted differently in that moment. I believe so as well. She couldn’t have imagined that something she did in the spur of the moment would have blown up the way it did.
An NBA fan revealed that James was just wishing Buss and Rambis a happy International Women’s Day in that viral clip. She went a little bit overboard in response and probably does regret it.
On Nichols’ point regarding James’ contract, he can opt out of his $51.4 million player option for 2024-25 to become a free agent this summer. Brian Windhorst had reported that LeBron wants a contract worth over $100 million from the Lakers.
Windhorst states James desires a bigger deal than the one he is currently on and it is up to the Lakers on whether they want to pay him $60-odd million when he’s 42 years old. If that is indeed what his demand would be, I think the Lakers would agree to it.
Nichols brought up the Lakers being willing to overpay for aging stars and James is still playing at a high level too. In his 21st season, the 39-year-old has put up impressive averages of 25.3 points, 7.1 rebounds, 8.0 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game.
Bill Simmons Believes The Lakers Will Not Win A Title If James Gets A $50 Million Contract
While James reportedly wants that big payday, Bill Simmons thinks it isn’t something he should desire. Simmons claims the Lakers will not win a title if James takes a $50 million contract.
“If he wants to win another title, and he takes like $50 million a year when Davis is already making $50 million a year, it basically means they’re not going to win another title and he’s going to be stuck at four, that’s it.”
Anthony Davis signed a three-year, $186 million extension last year, which kicks in from the 2025-26 season. It certainly wouldn’t be ideal to have two players taking up over $100 million of your cap space but it is hard to see James being willing to take a significant pay cut.
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