The Los Angeles Lakers have some major decisions to make this offseason.
LeBron James will be a free agent, and Austin Reaves will most likely opt out of his deal to get a new contract. The Lakers may prioritize the younger guard over James, who played at a high level but is likely entering the final year of his career.
And according to NBA insider Kurt Helin of NBC Sports, James won’t give them any sort of discount, with him ready to push for a max deal.
LeBron James will ask the Lakers for a max contract
“LeBron and his agent, Rich Paul, are reportedly going to ask for the max from the Lakers and want to know how the Lakers plan to spend that money if they are offering less, which is really a complicated way of saying they want to know what the Lakers’ plans are,” Helin reported.
James, a billionaire, has amassed nearly $600 million in NBA salary, and it’s hard to believe paying him that much would be in the Lakers’ best interests or part of their plans.
They’re clearly a flawed team and need more help to get by in the stacked Western Conference. Committing that much money to a player who’ll be 42 next season might be organizational malpractice, regardless of his resume and pedigree.
James should still have plenty of suitors, with the Golden State Warriors reportedly set to be aggressive in their pursuit. That said, his family is already rooted in Southern California, so he’d also benefit greatly from staying with the Purple and Gold; it goes beyond the money.
James may only have one more chance to win another NBA championship, and he should be looking at the place that gives him the best opportunity to do so. And if it’s just about maximizing his earning potential and adding more accolades to his individual tally, the Lakers might be better off looking elsewhere.
