Fans of the Lakers who are worried about LeBron James leaving town in the offseason can rest easy — if ESPN’s Brian Windhorst is to be believed.
Windhorst, who boasts a track record of covering James since his high school days, reported on Thursday’s ESPN “First Take” that James has no plans of leaving Los Angeles, and is eyeing a new long-term contract to remain a member of the Purple & Gold for the foreseeable future.
“I don’t think this is LeBron’s last stand as a Laker,” Windhorst said. “First off, I think LeBron is angling to sign a multiyear deal in the offseason with the Lakers that will be nine figures. That will be even bigger than the deal he is on now. Now, whether or not he’s able to finish that deal, whether or not the Lakers want to give him a three-year contract and pay him $60 million when he’s 42 years old — that’s a different discussion.”
James hasn’t signed a nine-figure deal with the Lakers since inking his initial four-year, $154 million contract in 2018. In the summer of 2022, he signed a new two-year extension worth $99 million.
So, what would it take for James and the Lakers to continue their marriage into a seventh year? According to Windhorst’s sources, the Lakers plan to use their three tradeable first-round picks in July with hopes of acquiring a star to pair with James and Anthony Davis. While All-Star guards such as Trae Young, Donovan Mitchell and Kyrie Irving have been earmarked as possible targets, it remains to be seen if those players actually become available via trade later in the summer.
James has until June 29 to exercise his player option worth $51.4 million. If he were to opt out, there are two likely outcomes — James signs a new long-term deal with the Lakers or tests free agency.
