LeBron James is officially eligible for a contract extension, and it looks like things went well for him and the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday.
According to Dave McMenamin of ESPN, shortly after he and James spoke to Lakers vice president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka, Rich Paul, who is James’ representative with Clutch Sports, stated that contractual agreements between the two parties were “productive” and would continue.
James’ current contract is projected to expire after the 2022–2023 season, and until he signs a new one, the league’s most engaging subject will likely be how he will fare in the future.
Lebron James makes his wish clear of playing alongside his son in the NBA
James’ constant statement that he wants to play with his son Bronny may be complicating matters from the Lakers’ point of view. Lebron James’ attempts to playing with Bronny would be complicated if he signs a long-term contract with Los Angeles or anywhere else before Bronny becomes eligible for the 2024 Draft’s.
James will turn 38 in December, so age is another factor.
Even though he played just 56 games last year, 45 games in 2020–21, and 55 games in 2018–19, he has shown many signs of slowing down when he’s on the court. Even though he appears to defy ageing while he is on the floor, the wear-and-tear on his body after such a long career and several deep playoff runs is a storyline worth tracking.
Last season, the 18-time All-Star averaged 30.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game. Had he played in more games or if the 33-49 Lakers were a better team, he probably would have been considered in the MVP conversation.
James, Anthony Davis, and Russell Westbrook will be the team’s star players next season, and Los Angeles’ roster as it is now will mostly remain the same. James might also go elsewhere to increase his chances of winning a fifth championship on his next contract since it is impossible to imagine them going from not making the playoffs at all to winning one.
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