Extracted Statements:
For all the attention new Lakers hire JJ Redick received at his introductory press conference Monday, the biggest bit of Lakers news fell below the fold in ESPN insider Dave McMenamin's report of the afternoon in L.A.
The Lakers are prepared to offer LeBron James a three-year max contract extension, which would be valued at north of $160 million.
James has until June 29 to opt in to the final year of his current contract, which would pay him $51.4 million for the upcoming season.
The expectation is that he'll forgo that player option and become a free agent.
The over-38 rule stipulates that no player over that age can sign for more than three years.
Should James opt out and sign the three-year max, the Lakers would be paying him through his age-41 season.
Does he have three more years in the tank?
LeBron might prefer one-year deals, maximizing short-term earning power with annual increases in the salary cap rather than taking the security of what would likely be the final long-term deal of his career.
But the Lakers are apparently prepared to facilitate whatever contract structure James prefers.
The Lakers are operating in win-now mode as James' career clock starts to tick louder and louder.
It's not about three years from now for the Lakers.
It's about this season.
The Lakers can't afford to mess around with James, who will have plenty of suitors.
The Philadelphia 76ers have max cap space and, frankly, a more ready-made contender than the Lakers if LeBron came aboard.
The Oklahoma City Thunder, who would also be a bigger threat to win the title with LeBron than the currently constructed Lakers, can get to max space pretty easily.
So can the Orlando Magic.
This is to say nothing of the sign-and-trade possibilities if LeBron starts throwing his weight around and is threatening to leave for nothing.
LeBron might be 39, but he still has pretty much all the leverage here.
The Lakers can't hire Redick and then lose LeBron.
They need to secure their superstar and then go about their annual hunt for another one to join James and Anthony Davis.
Extracted Quotes:
"For all the attention new Lakers hire JJ Redick received at his introductory press conference Monday, the biggest bit of Lakers news fell below the fold in ESPN insider Dave McMenamin's report of the afternoon in L.A."
"The Lakers are prepared to offer LeBron James a three-year max contract extension, which would be valued at north of $160 million."
---JJ Redick's Introduction Overshadowed by LeBron James' Contract Speculation
For all the attention new Lakers hire JJ Redick received at his introductory press conference Monday, the biggest bit of Lakers news flew somewhat under the radar. According to ESPN insider Dave McMenamin, the Lakers are poised to offer LeBron James a three-year max contract extension valued at over $160 million.
As it stands, James has until June 29 to opt into the final year of his current contract, which would pay him $51.4 million for the upcoming season. The expectation, however, is that he’ll forgo that player option and instead become a free agent.
Implications of the Over-38 Rule
The NBA's over-38 rule, which stipulates that no player over 38 can sign for more than three years, adds another layer of complexity to the situation. If James opts out and signs the proposed three-year max contract, he would be secured with the Lakers through his age-41 season. This essentially raises the question: does he still have three peak years left in him?
While some speculate that LeBron might prefer one-year deals to maximize his short-term earning power, especially with annual increases in the salary cap, the Lakers appear willing to accommodate whatever contract structure James prefers.
Win-Now Mode Activated
The Lakers seem fully committed to a win-now mentality, keenly aware that the clock on James' career is ticking louder and louder. It’s not so much about three years from now for the Lakers; it’s about this season. They can't afford to mess around as James will undoubtedly have plenty of suitors.
Teams like the Philadelphia 76ers, who have max cap space, present a more immediate contender status if LeBron were to join. Similarly, the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Orlando Magic can also free up max space quite easily. Not to mention, there are a host of sign-and-trade possibilities if LeBron starts leveraging his position and threatens to leave without compensation.
It’s clear that despite turning 39 soon, LeBron James still holds immense leverage. This isn't just about signing another star player like Redick; it's about securing James and shaping a winning roster around him and Anthony Davis.
The Pressure is On
The pressure is undeniably on for the Lakers. They can't risk hiring JJ Redick only to lose LeBron soon after. Securing their superstar remains their foremost priority, followed closely by their annual pursuit of additional elite talent to bolster their championship aspirations. As the offseason progresses, all eyes will be on how the Lakers manage this critical juncture in their quest for NBA dominance.