Now that LeBron James is officially eligible to sign a contract extension that would keep him with the Lakers through the 2024/25 season, the question we’re positing today is: should he? Does it make sense to his basketball legacy for James to continue with the Lakers’ current personnel, or even a roster without the contract of embattled starting point guard Russell Westbrook?
Team president Rob Pelinka met with James and his agent Rich Paul today for what Paul called a “productive” discussion surrounding a possible extension for the 37-year-old vet. Due to the NBA’s Over-38 rule (outlined in our glossary), the 18-time All-Star is limited to signing, at most, a two-year extension with Los Angeles.
Though James enjoyed a strong individual statistical season during 2021/22, injuries limited the forward to just 56 games, marking the third time in his four seasons with Los Angeles that James has missed 26 or more games. Big man Anthony Davis appeared in just 40 games last year due to his own health problems.
After L.A. traded much of its depth to secure the services of max-salaried point guard Westbrook in the summer of 2021, the Lakers were counting on their new “big three” to win with sheer talent, surrounded mostly by veterans on minimum contracts. The erratic availability of the team’s two best players, plus a disappointing (but mostly healthy) season from Westbrook, doomed the club to an underwhelming 33-49 record. The Lakers did not perform well enough to even qualify for a play-in game. This marked a precipitous fall for the team, which won the title behind stellar performances from James and Davis, surrounded by quality role players, in 2020.
While he is no longer the same defender he was during his Cavaliers and Heat prime, James remains a powerhouse on offense. Beyond his excellent ability to muscle his way inside the paint and an elite passing touch, James has also developed into a decent volume long-range shooter. Last season, he averaged 30.3 PPG, his highest total since 2005/06, plus 8.2 RPG, 6.2 APG, 1.3 SPG, and 1.1 BPG. The 2022 All-NBA Third Teamer posted shooting splits of .524/.359/.756.
The Lakers have pivoted from their 2021 team-building approach. First, L.A. fired its championship-winning head coach Frank Vogel this summer, opting to replace him with former Bucks assistant Darvin Ham. In addition to the team’s three highly-paid stars, Los Angeles is set to bring back wing Talen Horton-Tucker, guard Kendrick Nunn, athletic forwards Stanley Johnson and Wenyen Gabriel, and second-year shooting guard Austin Reaves. Nunn missed the entire 2021/22 season, which would have been his first with the Lakers, due to a knee injury. He claims to be fully recovered at this point.
New Lakers additions like mid-level signing Lonnie Walker IV, centers Damian Jones and Thomas Bryant, and swingmen Troy Brown Jr. and Juan Toscano-Anderson seem to suggest the Los Angeles front office is looking to youth, defense and athleticism over experience and shooting to complement its three stars. The team also drafted rookie guard Max Christie out of Michigan State with the No. 35 pick and signed intriguing undrafted rookies Scotty Pippen Jr. and Cole Swider to two-way contracts.
As for the fate of Westbrook, the Lakers have reportedly received overtures from the Knicks, Jazz, and Pacers. Los Angeles has also had conversations about a potential swap of Westbrook to the Nets for Brooklyn’s own embattled point guard, Kyrie Irving. All of those teams would want at least one and perhaps two future first-round picks to take on Westbrook.
Following a recent split with Westbrook, longtime agent Thad Foucher appeared to indicate that the root of their break-up stemmed from his belief that the point guard should remain with the Lakers, rather than seeking out a trade. Westbrook has since signed Jeff Schwartz to represent him, and one wonders if this new duo will work to relocate Westbrook away from his hometown team this year.
The Lakers would be well-served to offload future assets if they are part of a larger package that will help them also move on from Westbrook. No longer his peak athletic self, the 33-year-old nine-time All-Star proved to be an awkward on-court fit with James as both thrive on the ball and Westbrook, a poor shooter and apathetic cutter, fails to provide much value off it. James and the Lakers could significantly benefit on the floor if the team opted to bring in, say, Pacers veterans Myles Turner and Buddy Hield in exchange for Westbrook and future draft picks.
Even if such a transaction happened, would that – in combination with the club’s new additions and, hopefully, a healthier James and Davis – be enough to effectively move the needle and help Los Angeles return to something approaching title contention, after two straight disappointing seasons? Given the All-Star duo’s time served in the league and injury history, this writer is skeptical.
The West is looking loaded this year, with the reigning champion Warriors poised to hit the ground running, the veteran-laden Nuggets and Clippers finally set to have all their stars healthy, and clubs like the Grizzlies, Suns and Mavericks hoping to continue to build on their recent playoff runs.
James has won four Finals MVP awards and four titles with three different clubs. He has led his teams to 10 Finals appearances all told, including eight straight from 2011-18. There’s no question that, as he enters the twilight of his career, the 6’9″ forward would like to at least have a chance of adding to his championship pedigree and Hall of Fame legacy.
Would James be better served by holding off on agreeing to a Lakers tenure beyond 2023? This way, he could let the team court him in unrestricted free agency instead, where he would be able to simultaneously take stock of what the rest of the league has to offer. At present, only a handful of clubs are expected to have the necessary cap space to sign a player to a maximum contract next summer, though that could certainly change were James to become available.
We want to know what you think. Should James opt to extend sooner rather than later, so that the Lakers could be more inclined to package future draft equity in trades for current help? Should LeBron even opt in at all? Where should he go if he does walk in 2023?
Alternately, if James does return to the Lakers, should he just sign a one-year deal with a player option for the second season, in the hopes of aligning the timing of his free agency with the first season his son Bronny James becomes NBA-eligible? Head to the comments section below to weigh in!
Probably every other player say yes. Why would you bypass 100M. But LBJ has more money than any other athlete, and his goal is to play in the NBA with one of his sons. So he needs to be liquid so to speak. Put the pressure on the Lakers to draft your kid. It’s no different than the nepotism of the G-Leaguer Bros of Giannis on the Bucks.
There are so many teams in 24 that could draft Bronny and only have a tax payer MLE available lols…
He doesn’t care ab the money.
Jordan says he has more money then Lebronze!
Jordan has been accumulating that wealth for more years. That’s like saying your parents have money in their 401k at age 65 than you do at age 30.
They should trade him and AD to Nets for Simmons, Curry, Harris, Thomas, Sharpe and picks.
That way LA can start over(with big cap savings) while Nets would get a real chance. Nets would be like Shaq, Kobe, Malone, Payton LAL team.
No!
Yes!
No way
Yes indeed
I don’t think it matters. He’s done everything and is massively wealthy even by professional athlete standards. Ultimately out of comfort, I’d assume an extension would be attractive. I also don’t really see the point in late career mercenary Lebron James
Max Christie went to Michigan State not Michigan.
If he is being realistic about things then the answer is no. He only has so much left.
If another ring is the only objective then he has to be able to step back and decide where his game can have the most impact in pursuit of one. The Lakers trying to cobble players around him in pursuit of one is going to be a drain on what he has left seeing that they can only realistically get mid level ehh players at best to go with him.
It’s better for him to pick a team of mostly those types and go there than to be fitted with them.
He will get his money wherever he goes. If we are being honest Bronny goes where James goes not the other way around like all are fooling themselves into believing.
In that regard its better that we all get that understood now so as to be no funny side talk around it or funny misunderstandings if it don’t go down like that.
We all know it’s going down like that.
But we actually DON’T know where Bronny will end up, and whoever has LeBron James on their team doesn’t, either.
No.
Honest question, if Bronny is considered a fringe prospect by the time his draft comes around, but it is widely known that wherever his son goes, LeBron will go, will a team draft Bronny migh higher than he should be drafted, just so they can land LeBron as well? IE, does Bronny’s draft stock increase, based on the assumption that his Dad could/would follow him to his new team?
Just an interesting thought.
See, I think you are onto something, but these parameters actually makes GSW look like the likeliest landing place for both, being they won’t have to play Bronny, will have a 25-30 pick and they all will likely win a ring.
Think a lot will depend on where Bryce goes to high school and where Bronny goes to college?
Think at this stage of his career he wouldn’t want to uproot his family and move and then have to move again shortly after to follow Bronny.
So in saying that staying withe the Lakers is probably the most likely option.
Just some ideas and some options.
Would represent a huge risk for his fan base and legacy but imagine him going across town to the clippers and helping them to their first ever title.
5 titles on 4 teams, 1st ever titles for the Cavs and Clippers. Would be hugely unlikely and would draw more fans and help the legacy but help grow the haters. Can’t see him risking it.
Another sideways idea, GSW. Said he would love to play with Steph and Draymond. Wiggins deal is also expiring, the owner doesn’t care about the huge tax bills, would guarantee another title and could be another finals MVP aswell. San Fran is just down the road from LA. But again would draw a lot of haters can’t really see it.
Cavs return seems makes more sense than a lot of other teams. Return back home again, great young team with Garland, Sexton, LeVert, Rubio, Okoro, Markeneen, KLove, Mobley and Allen. LeBron would easily make them a top top team. But that’s going all the way from the west to the east and reopening that chapter again.
Seems absolutely crazy but imagine a world where he goes to Brooklyn, links up with Ben Simmons who is mates with. Kyrie is already there and can convince KD to stay. They have a bunch of good role players for depth. Plus the legacy points if he could get Brooklyn to win a title. Again another first for this team, would really steal the Thunder of the Knicks. Rich Paul and Maverick Carter would be based in NY and that would be great for business.
Return back to Miami, still have the same GM and coach, could see him doing well with veterans like Lowry and Jimmy. He also thrives with a good big like Bam. But again that’s reopening that chapter of his life again. Would give him a better chance of a title than staying with the Lakers.
Last idea, joining Jordan’s team the bulls. He proved to be good friends with DeRozan playing Drew League with him this offseason. Could see him being mates with LaVine. Never spoke badly of Lonzo although never looked like mates. However he has spoken well of Patrick Williams. Alex Caruso his guy is already there too. Chances at a title do appear thin tho.
I’d rate the options Lakers 6/10, Clippers 5/10, GSW 5/10, Cavs 6/10, Brooklyn 7/10, Heat 8/10, Bulls 4/10
If he is still healthy, I would draft his son very high, becasue getting James for mid lever or something that is crazy.
Plus I hope that he will come to Dallas. Luka and LeBron with this roster I think they would win the title.
GSW gotta be right behind the Heat tbh they have all the resources and are contending. If they can simply sign Lebron without giving anyone up in a trade, they will. They will likely finish with a top 5 record, so can easily draft Bronny at the back end of the draft or even 2nd round.
Yeah but it would hurt the legacy a lot. Would be ring chasing and joining the best team. KD has already done it and will always be remembered for it
Only cowards online view “ring chasing” as a negative. Rings are rings no matter how much brain damage the average NBA fan has. KD has 2 rings and that’s all like 99% of normal people will view them as, unless they watched those teams and saw them playing the best TEAM basketball ever in this league, then they will view those rings as SUPER-legit!
Phx is 6 miles closer to La than San Francisco is
I don’t think many people realize how large California stretches’
I could see Phoenix as an option. He likes Monty Williams, he’s very good mates with Chris Paul, they have a good big man in Ayton am elite go to scorer in Booker. Solid title aspirations and stuff but not as strong a team as GSW and others so probably wouldn’t get the ring chasing label
I could care less.
How much less? A lot? A little?
We need to establish a baseline as to how much OP currently cares. On a scale of 1-10, what are we talking?
I’m wondering how much less as well.
I’d laugh my a$$ off if a team like mine (OKC) drafts Bronny and then tells Lebron if he wants to play here, all we can offer is the vet minimum and just see if he’d take it. Oh and Chet is the starter at the 4, so you’ll be coming off the bench with your kid…lol
Then again….if your okc….maybe you draft bronny knowing that you can say that to Lebron and he’d play for that little just to be with his kid….lol.
This same logic is why Golden State will end up with Bron+Bronny. Only they can offer the big money+contention+ability to draft+store Bronny.
1+1
nope
Past time for the Lakers to move on.
Westbrook’s season wasn’t even disappointing. If you look at the numbers his shooting percentages, rebounds, etc, are all almost exactly in line with his career. He was exactly who he was supposed to be: a decent player. The Lakers were just delusional.
There’s a reason no one else made a serious offer for Westbrook.
Point is that he was not a good on-court fit with the Lakers, and that the Lakers gave up a ton of value betting on him meshing well with LeBron and AD.
Lebron James of anyone does not need a max contract. The answer to this question is obviously no.
I think he just straight up follows Bronny til Bronny gets cut half way through year one, then gets injured and eventually calls it quits.
“Injured”
NYk get Mitchell
LAL get Fournier, Reddish, Bogdanovic or Conley
UTA get Westbrook. Toppin, Grimes and a boatload of picks from both teams
Can’t see another trade more realistic than that right now
That trade makes no sense for LAL – it barely even frees up cap space and they don’t get any impact players in return for Westbrook WHILE trading away 1sts.
Warriors win title this year
Steph gets more rings than Lebron
Lebron then joins GSW to win more rings, even though Steph will always outpace him by 1
GSW can easily draft Bronny in the 2nd round
Explain how this won’t work without being exposing you don’t know ball.
There’s lots of ways this wouldn’t work.
Warriors, no matter how much they seem to have, don’t have the money to land LeBron on a max deal. Heck, at some point they’re going to have to choose whether to keep Wiggins or Poole. Even if LeBron agreed to a minimum deal – which the league might not even allow – you don’t actually know that Golden State can draft Bronny in the second round. At this point too much can happen from now to then to know just how good of a prospect he is, and whether a team would jump at Bronny in the first round/early second to try to snag LeBron.
Also it would kinda be a legacy killer to join up with the team that beat him three times in the NBA finals.
So yes, maaaaaaybe that could happen, but it’s extremely unlikely.
You failed. You don’t know ball.
“Warriors, no matter how much they seem to have, don’t have the money to land LeBron on a max deal.”
“So yes, maaaaaaybe that could happen”
Insane post to write – pure copium. I knew this would be an impossible task. You were not up to it. You literally wrote “Warriors have unlimited money, but they dont have the money” – F.
What I was saying was that the Warriors would only be able to land LeBron if he agreed to a minimum deal. You can only go so far into the luxury tax.
Also the Warriors do NOT have unlimited money, and I did not say that they do. The Warriors can’t just sign LeBron to a max deal and have a tax bill north of half a billion. That’s just not sustainable, and it’s not realistic either. I will say it again. It is extremely unlikely that the Warriors sign LeBron James and it is only possible if the Warriors give him a minimum deal. It’s just not happening.
I say he signs a two-year extension with a player option for the 2024-25 season. All indicators have been that he wants to remain n LA, except for the Bronny thing.
One thing that’s being overlooked is Lebron has a lot of business interests in LA, so it makes sense to stay there from that aspect alone.
He should sign a 1+1 with Los Angeles. Why leave now? Regardless of if he wins another title or not, people have already made their minds up on his legacy, so it’s inconsequential. I just see no benefit to him leaving until he sees where his son goes.
Regardless of if he wins another title or not, people have already made their minds up on his legacy
Yup
Totally agree.