After this season, LeBron James will have to make some important decisions regarding his future. According to a well-known NBA insider, the superstar from the Los Angeles Lakers is likely to opt out of his current deal in order to obtain a no-trade provision.
“I think LeBron’s gonna opt out no matter what,” Brian Windhorst said. “And the reason I think he’s gonna opt out no matter what is even if he just signs back for one year, the only functional way for LeBron to get a no-trade clause is to sign a new contract. If he extends the contract he’s in or picks up that option, extends onto it, he can’t get a no-trade clause. And I think for a number of different reasons, LeBron would like, ask for and probably be granted a no-trade clause.”
For the 2024–2025 NBA season, the 39-year-old has a $51.4 million player option. Rejecting it wouldn’t imply that he wants to get away from the Lakers. Actually, it’s probably the other way around since he wants the assurance of choosing where to end his career, which is currently in its 21st NBA season.
That would be the status of one of the best players in the history of the game. The Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal is said to be the only active NBA player with a no-trade clause; in fact, he waived it this past offseason to allow the Washington Wizards to trade him.
It appears that James will play on even if he made a fleeting hint at retirement earlier this season after doing the same following his team’s 2023 Western Conference Finals loss. He might be pursuing a new nine-figure contract from the Lakers, according to a February report. Furthermore, Bronny, his son, recently submitted his application for the 2024 NBA Draft. If the younger James gets selected, he would fulfill his father’s wish to have both of them play in the NBA at the same time.
The elder James continues to be among the league’s best even as the oldest active player in the NBA. He is averaging 25.4 points, 7.2 assists and 8.2 assists per game in his 68 appearances. The early-season idea that his playing time would be more closely managed and limited proved to be off the mark. Despite dealing with an ankle issue, he is averaging more than 35 minutes per game and has made more appearances than in any of his six seasons with Los Angeles.
The Lakers also are heading toward the postseason on a high note. They have won nine of their past 11 games and are in ninth place in the Western Conference with a 45-34 record. They are just 1.5 games out of sixth place and a guaranteed playoff position with three games to go, including Tuesday night against the Golden State Warriors.
On a positive side, the Lakers are also making their way into the postseason. With a 45-34 record, they are in ninth place in the Western Conference and have won nine of their last 11 games. They have three games remaining, including Tuesday night’s matchup with the Golden State Warriors, and are only 1.5 games shy of sixth place and a sure postseason spot.