Four-time NBA champion LeBron James is expected to opt out of the final yr of his present contract, the Los Angeles Times reported on Friday.Â
An opt-out would make the Los Angeles Lakers ahead an unrestricted free agent. However, the idea inside most NBA circles is that James doesn’t intend to depart the Lakers.Â
In May, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst stated if James determined to opt out, the transfer would possible middle on the construction of his contract. If James needs to add a no-trade clause to his deal, that might be achieved in a brand new contract.
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LeBron James of the Lakers in the course of the sport in opposition to the New Orleans Pelicans on April 1, 2022, at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles. (Adam Pantozzi/NBAE through Getty Images)
NBA rules forestall no-trade clauses from being tacked on to present contracts through extensions. Only 10 gamers in league historical past have been ready to work a no-trade clause into their respective contracts.
James is projected to finally ink a three-year, $162 million deal. He would successfully hand over round $2.3 million in whole cash if he opts out as an alternative of extending his participant choice. But, he would possibly consider the monetary sacrifice is worth it if it will get him a no-trade clause.
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Three years is the utmost quantity of years James can now signal for due to the NBA’s over-38 rule. The Lakers brass is reportedly prepared to grant James “any contract structure” he needs in a brand new deal.
Lakers ahead LeBron James gestures in the course of the Denver Nuggets sport, March 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
If James actually needs to discover his choices this offseason, the Philadelphia 76ers are one group that his identify has been linked to. The Sixers would possible have sufficient wage cap area to add James to its roster.
Los Angeles Lakers ahead LeBron James dribbles previous Thunder ahead Jalen Williams, Dec. 23, 2023, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
Moving to Philly would pair James with star large man Joel Embiid and essentially the most improved participant from this previous season, Tyrese Maxey.
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On Thursday, ESPN reported that the Lakers and JJ Redick agreed to phrases of a four-year contract to make him the group’s subsequent head coach. James not too long ago launched the “Mind the Game” podcast, which is co-hosted by Redick.
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