So far, the 2023-24 season has been a big disappointment for the Los Angeles Lakers. Instead of powering up and establishing a strong record, they have a 23-23 mark and are in ninth place in the Western Conference just past the midpoint of the regular season.
Seemingly everybody is talking trade, and the Atlanta Hawks’ Dejounte Murray seems the most likely candidate to end up with the Purple and Gold. But amid the trade rumors, an important subplot must be kept in mind.
LeBron James has a player option for next season, which will be the final season on his current contract. That means he could opt out and leave the Lakers this summer.
There is the possibility the team does nothing prior to the trade deadline and instead waits until this summer, when it would have more trade capital available in a potential deal, to make a move. But if that’s the path the team chooses, James’ contract situation could complicate that plan.
Reportedly, the Lakers haven’t talked to James’ camp about his plans beyond this season.
Via ESPN:
“This summer could also call for a bigger pivot if there is a playoff letdown,” wrote Dave McMenamin. “Would James opt out of his contract for 2024-25 and look elsewhere? If so, would the Lakers need to preserve that extra draft pick to help reinvent everything in a post-James L.A.?
“Unlike James’ final season in Cleveland in 2017-18, when the Cavaliers made clear that any trade involving their lottery-projected 2018 first-round pick would be contingent on James’ commitment to stay with the franchise, the Lakers have not preemptively spoken to James’ representatives about the star’s future plans, a source familiar with the situation told ESPN.”
James, who is 39 years of age, is still playing at a very high level. Through 41 games he’s averaging 24.8 points, 7.5 assists and 7.1 rebounds a game while shooting 52% overall and 39.7% from 3-point range.
If he opts in and remains with L.A. next season, he is set to make more than $51.4 million for the 2024-25 campaign.