The Los Angeles Lakers are willing to give LeBron James “any contract structure” he seeks in a new deal. This is according to the Athletic’s Jovan Buha and Shams Charania.
“LeBron James returning to the Los Angeles Lakers isn’t necessarily a lock, although he can still get the most money from L.A.,” Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz wrote on June 20. “Outside of pushing for a trade to a contender, re-signing with the Lakers or joining the Philadelphia 76ers are his only real options.
“James will decline his player option and sign a new three-year, $162 million deal, the most he can get given the over-38 rule. By opting out instead of extending off his player option, he gives up about $2.3 million in total money yet gets to negotiate a no-trade clause into the deal.”
A no-trade clause would be a rare caveat for the NBA, though not for James.
He is one of just 10 players in league history to receive such a stipulation in his contract. The clause has also proven detrimental in recent instances.
Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal was deemed to have the most toxic contract in the league. His clause came with a five-year, $251 million contract. He also kept the clause after his trade to Phoenix from the Washington Wizards.
But it could be a moot point.
“The Lakers don’t really have any other option here,” Swartz wrote. “Expect James to re-sign on one last max deal.”
