On the latest episode of his “Mind the Game” podcast, LeBron James talked about where he’s at as far as deciding on his basketball future this offseason. He said he hasn’t really started the process, and he implied that it may take him until the middle of the summer to make a decision.
There are signs that he would like to stay with the Los Angeles Lakers for another NBA season. But he could leave to join the Cleveland Cavaliers or another team, and as unlikely as it seems, he also could simply retire after 23 seasons in the league.
Brian Windhorst, who has covered James since the superstar was in high school, said on ESPN’s “NBA Today” that if James doesn’t make a decision by July 1, which is the first full day that teams can negotiate with free agents, the Lakers may have to renounce his rights.
“This is just the reality,” Windhorst said. “… If the Lakers don’t get a clear answer from LeBron by July 1, they may have to renounce his rights…I would be stunned if that happened but there is a little bit more of an urgency. … The LeBron that I know wants to be respected. It’s not even about the actual paycheck, it’s about the respect that the paycheck includes, and if he wants that respect he probably will have to move up his timeline.”
Navigating the league’s salary cap is always complicated, and timing is everything. The Lakers have additional incumbent players they will want to re-sign, including Austin Reaves and Luke Kennard. They will also want to secure at least one outside upgrade, either through free agency or the trade market.
James made $52.6 million this season. It is extremely unlikely that any team, even the Lakers, will offer him that much money for next season, and the question is how much he and his agent, Rich Paul, will demand and how much he will ultimately sign for.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Windhorst: Lakers may have to renounce LeBron James’ rights
Reporting by Robert Marvi, LeBron Wire / LeBron Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
