Just days from now, LeBron James will officially become a free agent, and the world will find out what he will do with his basketball career moving forward. He could stay with the Los Angeles Lakers, join a different team or simply retire after 23 seasons in the NBA.
Many have felt that it is very unlikely he will retire this summer, especially given the level of play he was able to sustain this season. But Ramona Shelburne said on ESPN’s “SportsCenter” that while the Lakers have had “initial conversations” with James’ representative, the superstar hasn’t even committed to continuing his career, via NBA Base.
“My understanding, had initial conversations with LeBron James’ representative, but he has not even fully committed to returning next year in these conversations. The conversations were described to me as ‘we’re keeping in touch.’ Okay, so there’s no commitment to even returning or salary figures being discussed.
“I think that’s been interpreted as something like, ‘LeBron is still assessing his options, whether that is retirement or whether that is other teams, and if there are other teams that he’s looking at, what does that money look like?”
Brian Windhorst reported just days ago that he believes James and the Lakers have been negotiating a new contract. The 41-year-old future Hall of Famer made $52.6 million this season, and while the Lakers are projected to have as much as roughly $50 million in salary cap space, it is very unlikely they will offer him the same kind of money he made this season.
If he decides to leave and join the Cleveland Cavaliers or Golden State Warriors, he would have to take a steep pay cut, unless either team executes a sign-and-trade with Los Angeles. Cleveland will likely be limited to offering the taxpayer mid-level exception of $6 million, and the Warriors could give him the non-taxpayer mid-level exception of $15 million, should either team sign him outright in free agency.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: NBA reporter gives concerning LeBron James update for Lakers
Reporting by Robert Marvi, LeBron Wire / LeBron Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Robert Marvi, LeBron Wire | USA TODAY Network
