Lebron James collects an option of $ 52.6 million player with the Lakers for the next season
As had been said for a few weeks, Lebron James has collected his option of $ 52.6 million to return to the Los Angeles Lakers next season. Sunday was the deadline for Lebron to take his option.
LeBron Rich Paul’s agent made this statement Shams Charania of Espn, who gave the news:
“Lebron wants to compete for a championship,” Paul said to Espn. “He knows that the Lakers are building for the future. He understands it, but appreciates a realistic possibility of winning everything. We are highly appreciated for the partnership that we have had for eight years with Jeanie [Buss] and Rob [Pelinka] And consider the Lakers as a critical part of his career.
“We understand the difficulty in winning now while we prepare for the future. We want to evaluate what is best for Lebron at this stage of his life and career. He wants to do every season that has left the count and Lakers understand him, are supported and want what is best for him.”
In recent years in Los Angeles, Lebron would have renounced that last year and then sign again with the Lakers with a new agreement of two or three years with a player option in the end, who helped Lebron to exploit in the organization. Choosing to opt for the option of its player and being a free agent next summer is a change in the strategy, and the tone of Paul’s declaration was, essentially, “let’s see how it seems in a year”.
In a year, Lebron James will be 41 years old and there are some speculations that in this season, his 23rd (while wearing n. 23 and with the All-Star match in Los Angeles) could be his last. Lebron did not say anything about it except what he and his family must discuss it. It is many more likely to make that announcement and undertake a sort of farewell tour, rather than simply deciding to leave, as Tim Duncan did.
Having said that, Lebron is still one of the top 10 championship players. Last season he scored on average 24.4 points, 8.2 assists and 7.8 rebounds per game, shot 37.6% from beyond the arch, and was appointed all-nba second team.
The Lakers are in a transition phase after Stunning trade for Luka Doncic -The 25 years is now the future of the franchise. The Lakers are making off -season moves to bring players who will prospery alongside Doncic (like a circle center, the team’s priority priority). Lakers can offer Doncic an extension on August 2nd and then they will make him a maximum offer.
With Doncic, Lebron and Austin Reaves, the Lakers have a core that can make noise in the western conference next season if they have the right depth around them. Los Angeles won 50 games and ended as seed n. 3 in the West last season (just to fall into Minnesota in the first round of the playoffs). A similar regular seasonal milestone, combined with a better playoff race, is the goal of the team next season, they have been seen as contenders.
Lebron spent the beginning of his offseason, recovering from a Degree 2 McL distortion in the left knee, which he suffered in the Lakers final playoff game against Minnesota.