Many sources from reputable sites are pointing to the possibility that LeBron James will terminate his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers one year early. But what is the purpose of this?
According to ESPN transfer expert Brian Windhorst, it is almost certain that LeBron James will temporarily say goodbye to the Los Angeles Lakers.
More specifically, LeBron will prioritize the option of activating the Player Option clause, cutting the final year of his current contract and officially becoming a free agent on the transfer market.
However, James did not do this to abandon the Los Angeles Lakers and move to another team. Instead, he will negotiate and sign a new contract with the purple and yellow team. Sharing on television, ESPN expert said:
“There is still 1 month left for LeBron James to decide whether to terminate his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers early to become a free player, the deadline is June 29.
There is a strong belief among experts that LeBron will terminate his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers one year early. The reason is not necessarily that LeBron wants to leave the Lakers, but mainly to restructure and rebuild a new contract with the purple and yellow team.
Everything will be more open with many terms when you negotiate and negotiate with the team as a free agent. So LeBron wants to pursue this option.”
With the prestigious ESPN channel sharing the above, it is highly likely that the message that agent Rich Paul (representing both LeBron James and his son Bronny James) accidentally revealed a few days ago is correct.
While appearing on TNT to broadcast the 2024 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Finals, Rich Paul accidentally said that “LeBron James is a free agent” even though this has not been officially announced.
Rich Paul then immediately retracted his words and said: “I don’t know what LeBron’s intentions are”.
According to James’ current contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, he still has 1 year left on his contract, receiving a salary of 51.4 million USD for the 2024-25 season. However, due to the final year ‘Player Option’ clause, LeBron has the right to terminate the contract 1 season early to become a free player.
This decision must be made before June 30 (Vietnam time), one day before the free transfer market – NBA Free Agency opens.
Mr. Windhorst further explained: “LeBron has not yet made an opt-out decision because he wants to wait for his son Bronny James to decide whether to become a professional player or return to school basketball.
According to the information I have, Bronny will choose to stay in the NBA Draft to start his professional career, especially after the recent period when this player left many impressions in the eyes of scouts”.
According to transfer expert Bobby Marks, LeBron James could receive a 3-year contract worth up to $162 million if he becomes a free agent and re-signs with the Lakers.
This would be the most expensive contract LeBron has ever had in his career, surpassing his previous personal record of a 4-year contract worth $153.3 million signed in 2018.
After this contract, James renewed with the Lakers twice in a 1+1 format. One was for $85.6 million (signed in 2020) and the other was for $99 million (signed in 2022), both of which were max contracts.
Given LeBron James’ age and recent talk of retirement, the next contract LeBron signs could be his last NBA contract of his career.
The NBA Draft will take place on June 27-28. Then June 30 is the deadline for LeBron James to decide to opt out of his current contract. July 1 will be the opening date of the 2024 NBA Free Agency market.
