Lakers Prepared To Offer LeBron James Whatever Type Of Contract He Wants

According to NBA insider Jovan Buha of The Athletic, the Los Angeles Lakers are prepared to offer LeBron James whatever type of contract he wants. 

LeBron can become an unrestricted free agent this offseason by declining his 2024-25 player option worth $51.4 million.

“The Lakers are prepared to offer James whatever type of contract he wants this season,” Buha wrote. “League sources told The Athletic that the opt-in and opt-out routes are both on the table, and the leading scorer in NBA history is expected to play up to two more seasons.”

LeBron joined the Lakers in the offseason of 2018. The NBA icon is averaging 27.0 points, 7.9 rebounds, 8.0 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.6 blocks in a Los Angeles uniform. 

In 71 games this season, LeBron averaged 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 8.3 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.5 blocks while shooting 54.0% from the field, 41.0% from beyond the arc and 75.0% from the free-throw line. 

The Denver Nuggets defeated the Lakers in the first round of this year’s playoffs in five games. Denver also beat Los Angeles in the 2023 conference finals. 

LeBron, who turns 40 in December, is expected to play up to two more NBA seasons. The Lakers are anticipated to hire LeBron’s podcast partner — former NBA guard and current ESPN commentator — JJ Redick as their new head coach. 

Los Angeles is seeking a coach who will command the locker room, hold players accountable, tirelessly gameplan and provide a level of structure. 

LeBron is a four-time MVP, a four-time Finals MVP and a four-time champion. He’s arguably the greatest player in NBA history. 

A future first-ballot Hall of Famer, LeBron has career averages of 27.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.7 blocks with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat and Lakers. 

LeBron is the only player in NBA history to rank top-five all-time in points and assists, the only player to win three Finals MVPs with three different teams, the only player with 30,000 points, 10,000 rebounds and 10,000 career assists and the only player to score 40,000 points. 

LeBron became the leading scorer in NBA history last season.