Early Wednesday, LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers signed a two-year, $104 million max contract extension. As reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the agreement includes a player option and a no-trade clause, allowing James to potentially enter free agency after one more season.
James, who will turn 40 next summer, has opted for a player option, reflecting the trend among NBA stars today. His future in the league is now truly evaluated on a year-to-year basis.
The decision to agree to this maximum contract came after the Lakers’ unsuccessful attempt to add a third superstar, a move James and fellow star Anthony Davis had pushed for.
During free agency, the Lakers humorously missed out on every major available player, including Paul George, who signed with the Philadelphia 76ers. They reportedly made a competitive offer to Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors, but he ultimately chose to join Luka Dončić and James’s former teammate Kyrie Irving with the Dallas Mavericks.
Even Jonas Valančiūnas, who could be loosely considered an All-Star caliber player, opted to take a paycheck from the Washington Wizards instead of joining the Lakers.
NBA stars seem hesitant to team up with James and Davis in Los Angeles, perhaps unsure if James will continue playing beyond this season. The distractions surrounding the hiring of rookie head coach JJ Redick and drafting Bronny James could also be factors.
One thing is clear: the Lakers haven’t significantly improved this offseason. While Dalton Knecht was a solid draft pick at No. 17, there haven’t been many other notable additions.
It’s understandable why James would commit for only one year. His age complicates his NBA future, and he has acknowledged this, stating earlier this season, “Not very long. Not very long. I’m on the other side of the hill. So I’m not going to play another 21 years, that’s for sure. But not very long. I don’t know when I’ll retire, but I don’t have much time left.”
If the season in Los Angeles doesn’t go well, James can exercise his player option and potentially embark on a farewell tour elsewhere, possibly in Cleveland or Miami.
Conversely, if things go smoothly, James could choose to opt into the final year of his Lakers contract, a move he has never made before, and conclude his career in Los Angeles.
In either scenario, James holds the reins and has the flexibility to make decisions according to his desires. He is in control of how he concludes his illustrious career and will determine its final chapter.
