NBA
Will LeBron James stay at the LA Lakers next season?
The future NBA Hall of Fame legend will decide in the summer whether or not to return to the Los Angeles Lakers next season.
LeBron James will have the final say in deciding his future since he has the player-activated option of returning to the Lakers next season in exchange for $51.4 million. Failing that, he could end up opting for free agency.
The future NBA Hall of Famer has until June 29 to make a decision and according to several reports, the Los Angeles franchise are incredibly keen on retaining him in their side.
When does LeBron James’ contract expire?
The two options that LeBron James has are on the table: at times it has looked as though the option of free agency could be taken up, but his intention is to remain in Los Angeles. The 39-year-old veteran wants to play two or three more seasons, as confirmed by his agent Rich Paul last week, and that is why he wants to sit down with the directors to extend his contract, which currently expires in 2025.
James also wants to ensure his stay in Los Angeles and include a no-trade clause in the new agreement, something that very few players in NBA history have managed to obtain. ‘The Athletic’ reported last week that the Los Angeles franchise is preparing an offer for two more years with the option for an additional one in exchange for $164 million.
For now, LeBron James has been clear that he has not yet thought about his future since his focus is on recovering physically and mentally after a season that was very long and taxing, both physically and mentally. In the end, the future NBA Hall of Famer will do what is best for him, but the Lakers are confident he will retire wearing purple and gold.
The Lakers made it to the post season, where they came up against their recent nemesis: the Denver Nuggets. LeBron’s side struggled at times against the firepower of their opponents, almost going out after just four games, but in the end the Los Angeles side faltered in game 6 and lost the series 4-1.