Where do the Los Angeles Lakers go from here? With their season ending early, yet again, that’s the biggest question Lakers owner Jeanie Buss will face this off season. Moreover, murmurs about LeBron James’ interest in opting out of his $51.4 million player option for next season and testing free agency for the first time since 2018 are already in the air. But amid the uncertainty and the rumors about LBJ potentially leaving LA to join the Warriors, Draymond Green advises him to sacrifice part of his $99 million contract to execute a bigger plan.
While addressing LeBron’s future in LA on The Draymond Green Show, Green found the situation very interesting, saying, “LeBron could opt out of that deal, be a free agent, they can sign somebody with cap space and then sign LeBron back.” Although Draymond’s suggestion would mean LeBron giving up a lot of money, it would give the Lakers room to bring in either a third superstar or multiple great role players to build a better roster to contend for a title. Even Klay Thompson might be on the table for the Lakers, now that his future is uncertain in Golden State.
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With that, Draymond believes the Lakers could decide to save a lot of money on luxury tax. But the more important question Green posed for the Lakers was, “Are you comfortable going into the next season with pretty much the same supporting cast that you have and LeBron and AD?” Yes, the Lakers somehow reached the Western Conference Finals last year, but Green believes their team did not get any better this year, yet expected better results. And for them to improve their chances next season, LeBron might have to negotiate a new contract with the Lakers, probably for lesser money, giving them a better chance to surround him with proven playoff players.
How realistic is LeBron James’ move to the Warriors?
“I don’t have an answer… to be honest. I haven’t given it much thought.” LeBron’s statement about his future in LA also gave rise to the rumors of him potentially teaming up with Stephen Curry in Golden State. Now, we know that the Warriors have had interest in acquiring LeBron as reportedly they made an attempt to get him at the mid-season trade deadline in February. However, LeBron chose to deny that offer and stay in LA. But with the Lakers’ season ending in disappointment, that option might be back on the table, and who wouldn’t want to see LeBron and Steph play together before they decide to hang their boots?
Regardless, there is little chance of that happening because according to NBA Insider Brian Windhorst, LeBron might be interested in opting out of his player option and sign an even more extensive contract with the Lakers, on his terms. Adding a no-trade clause to his new contract, LeBron can potentially make over $161 million in the next three years with the Lakers. Even Shams Charania reported that the Lakers “badly” want LeBron to stay in LA and are open to discussing a $164 million contract, that will keep him in LA through 2027.
With that kind of money on the table, it will be hard for LeBron to look past it and head to Golden State. What do you think LeBron James’ decision will be about his future?
