Just days from now, the basketball world could find out which NBA team LeBron James will play for next season, or if he will call it a career after 23 seasons. Right now, the most likely outcome seems to be a new contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, but one can never be sure until an official announcement is made, and a return to the Cleveland Cavaliers cannot be ruled out.
But Brian Windhorst, a reporter who has been covering James since he was in high school, said on ESPN Cleveland that he believes that the superstar is currently negotiating a new deal with the Lakers.
“I think LeBron’s intention is to play and I think the focus right now is making a deal with the Lakers,” Windhorst said. “Right now, he’s allowed to negotiate with the Lakers and I believe they are negotiating, I believe they’re going back and forth. Free agency begins in 14 days and in the next 14 days, I think he’s gonna try to make a deal with the Lakers. The amount of the deal may depend on what else the Lakers are able to do in free agency and if in 14 days he is at an impasse with the Lakers and there is no deal there then I think other teams like the Cavs should stand to attention. But the league, I think, generally believes that the two sides are gonna come together.”
NBA teams can negotiate new contracts with players currently on their roster who are about to become free agents. James made $52.6 million on his contract this season, and he will almost certainly have to take some sort of a pay cut for next season.
Despite turning 41 years of age in December, he averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists a game during the regular season. In the playoffs, with Luka Doncic unable to play due to a hamstring strain, he put up 23.2 points, 6.7 boards and 7.3 assists a game. Still, L.A. was swept in the second round by the Oklahoma City Thunder.
For L.A. to take the next step and become a championship contender, it needs more depth, athleticism, defense and 3-point shooting. Adding those attributes to its roster will be next to impossible unless James’ next contract is for a substantially lower amount of money than his current one.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Brian Windhorst believes LeBron James, Lakers are negotiating contract
Reporting by Robert Marvi, LeBron Wire / LeBron Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Robert Marvi, LeBron Wire | USA TODAY Network
