NBA – A turnaround still possible for LeBron James at the Lakers?

Par Pierre-Andréa Fraile | Journaliste sportif

Holder of a player option for next season, LeBron James seemed destined to activate it and continue with the Lakers for at least another year. However, an insider has cast doubt on the matter in recent hours.

In the midst of the debate over the notion of superstar in the NBA, there seems to be no doubt that he still possesses this status as he approaches his fortieth birthday. Indeed, LeBron James still enjoys immense popularity within the league, and contributes to this with some impressive performances for his age. These have even earned him votes in the MVP poll and set a new all-time record.

As a result, it seems clear that it’s not yet time for the Lakers’ leader to retire. On the other hand, fans of the franchise are inevitably wondering about his contractual situation. The King could find himself a free agent this summer, with a player option that he could decline for next year. And contrary to what some might have thought, this scenario remains plausible.

Is LeBron’s decision to join the Lakers more uncertain than it seems?

Since his team’s elimination in the first round of the playoffs, LeBron has logically fueled much discussion about his future. Most American journalists agree that he’s about to activate his option. Such talk was even delivered very recently. Anthony Irwin, however, refuses to put the matter to bed. He explains in Buha’s Block:

Anthony Irwin: Most rumors suggest that LeBron will activate his player option. But in a small corner of my mind, I think there’s a real possibility that he’ll decline it and sign a new one-year contract + one year option.

Based on his performances, LBJ seems well and truly capable of playing another two years in the league. But more than a question of longevity, this renegotiation could be intended to offer his superiors a nice helping hand:

Anthony Irwin: I think he could go and talk to his management and see if they could use a little help economically. He could help them get just below first apron and have more room to maneuver to close a trade or something. We’re talking about a tiny pay cut here, not an eight-figure financial sacrifice as I’ve heard.

Yes, if he wants to get his hands on a fifth championship, LeBron will certainly need reinforcements. Problem: the Los Angeles front office doesn’t have much latitude from a financial point of view, not least because of his XXL contract. Reducing it somewhat could therefore increase the Purple & Gold’s flexibility on the market and enable them to make some nice moves.