LeBron James has declined the player option on the final season of his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, making him a free agent as the free agency period begins on Sunday. This decision was confirmed by a source familiar with the matter, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the information. Despite opting out, it is widely expected that James will re-sign with the Lakers, especially after the team selected his son, Bronny James, with the 55th overall pick in the second round of the NBA draft.
James, who will turn 40 on December 30, could have exercised his player option and played the final year of his contract with the Lakers in the 2024-25 season for $51.4 million. However, by opting out, he gains more control over his future. If he chooses to stay with the Lakers, he could sign a new three-year, $162 million deal, which would likely include a no-trade clause, ensuring he remains with the team without the risk of being traded.
In February, during All-Star Weekend, James expressed his contentment with the Lakers, stating, “I am a Laker, and I am happy and been very happy being a Laker the last six years, and hopefully it stays that way.” He added, “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 and so many greats. But we’ll see. I don’t know how it’s going to end, but it’s coming. It’s coming, for sure.”
If James decides to explore other opportunities, he could sign a three-year contract worth $157.5 million with another team. However, there are few teams with the necessary cap space to meet his salary demands. His agent, Rich Paul, CEO of Klutch Sports, has dismissed the idea of James signing a minimum contract to join a contender. This narrows his options significantly if he wishes to remain on a competitive team outside of the Lakers.
During the 2023-24 season, James averaged 25.7 points, 8.3 assists, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game, shooting 54% from the field and a career-high 41% on three-pointers. He made the All-Star team for the 20th consecutive season and earned his 20th All-NBA selection. Despite his impressive performance, the Lakers were eliminated from the playoffs by the Denver Nuggets for the second consecutive season, highlighting the gap between the two teams.
James’ playoff performance was notable, scoring at least 26 points in five games, including 30 points in Game 4 and 30 points, 11 assists, nine rebounds, and four steals in Game 5. However, the Lakers’ slim margin of error was exposed by Denver’s second-half execution.
The Lakers’ decision to draft Bronny James adds another layer of intrigue to LeBron’s free agency. The father-son duo could make NBA history by playing together on the same team. Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka commented on the potential historic moment, saying, “In the history of the NBA, there’s never been a father and a son that have shared an NBA basketball court, and that feels like something that could be magical.”
Bronny is not expected to take on a major role for the Lakers in the upcoming season, with head coach J.J. Redick likely focusing on LeBron and fellow star Anthony Davis to lead the team. However, Bronny’s defensive skills and playmaking abilities could prove valuable in the future.
LeBron has long expressed his desire to play alongside his son, stating, “I need to be on the floor with my boy, I got to be on the floor with Bronny. Either in the same uniform or a matchup against him. But I would love to do the whole Ken Griffey Sr. and Jr. thing. That would be ideal for sure.”
Bronny’s journey to the NBA was nearly derailed by a cardiac arrest last year while preparing for his debut season in college basketball. Fortunately, he was given the all-clear to return to playing and featured in 25 matches for the USC Trojans, averaging 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists.
As LeBron enters unrestricted free agency for the first time since 2018, the NBA world is abuzz with speculation. While most reports suggest he will return to the Lakers, the possibility of him joining another team cannot be entirely ruled out. The Philadelphia 76ers are one of the few teams with the cap space to offer James a maximum salary, potentially pairing him with stars Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.
However, with the Lakers hiring J.J. Redick as their new head coach and drafting Bronny, the likelihood of LeBron leaving seems slim. He has established himself in Los Angeles and delivered a title to the city, making it a fitting place for him to potentially retire.
The Lakers will enter the free agency period with a nearly full roster and limited means for improvement. They could target high-impact free agents with the midlevel exception, but this would require significant salary adjustments. One potential target is Klay Thompson, who has expressed interest in playing for the Lakers.
LeBron’s decision to opt out of his contract adds to the intrigue surrounding the Lakers’ offseason. The team will need to navigate salary cap constraints and make strategic moves to build a competitive roster around James. As the free agency period begins, all eyes will be on LeBron and the Lakers to see how this next chapter unfolds.
Source: USA TODAY Sports, The Athletic, ESPN
