The Los Angeles Lakers were saved by LeBron James. Whatever opinions fans may have had of him prior to his arrival in Los Angeles, LeBron’s decision to sign with the Lakers restored the franchise’s relevance following its worst run in franchise history.
The Lakers failed at every attempt to make the playoffs during a ten-year run of missing them. The signing of LeBron restored the team’s reputation, made it possible for them to acquire Anthony Davis through trade, and ultimately resulted in a championship. Without LeBron, none of that would be feasible.
Many are speculating whether LeBron’s time in Los Angeles is coming to an end at the age of 39, given that he has a player option to extend beyond this season. LeBron could fulfill his dream of playing in the NBA with one of his sons as Bronny James is rumored to enter the league the following season.
However, that may not be the case. If ESPN’s Brian Windhorst is to be trusted—and he is consistently accurate when it comes to LeBron moves—then LeBron may not be considering leaving the Lakers but rather a huge salary offer.
LeBron may be expecting a nine-figure contract from the Lakers.
The Lakers will grant LeBron James his request for a new three-year contract worth about $60 million annually. The Lakers gave Kobe Bryant enormous sums of money toward the end of his career when it wasn’t necessary, and they probably will give LeBron the same treatment.
Jeanie Buss wants other celebrities to know that the Lakers will look after their star players because she is worried about the team’s reputation. Buss knows that the optics of LeBron leaving the Lakers would be disastrous, so the team will give in to his demands regardless of whether another team offers less.
And the Lakers would have erred in doing this. Deciding why is not difficult to do. LeBron would be paid for three years, or until he turns forty-two. Even though he is currently breaking down age barriers, things could still go wrong at any time. LeBron’s career as a standout player could be virtually ended by a major injury. Just consider Kobe’s experience with his Achilles.
If the Lakers are spending more than $120 million on LeBron James and Anthony Davis combined, they will not win a championship. Although there will be more money to spend around them due to the salary cap, that is still too much. LeBron’s condition will only deteriorate with age, not improve, and he will always be vulnerable to AD-related injuries.
And there’s the wild card in this scenario, Trae Young. To make matters worse, the Lakers have been strongly linked to Young as a potential offseason trade target. The Lakers would be putting all of their resources into three players who are getting older and don’t get along. Similar to the trade of Russell Westbrook, this would backfire on the team.
But it would be LeBron James, not Russell Westbrook, the former superstar who is overpaid.
