James may get some special treats under the terms of his contract, which may be a special treat that the official opens for him. According to these additional terms, it is possible that he will sign a multi-year contract with a maximum salary despite being 38 years old. This arrangement means that James is expected to continue to enjoy high salary income even as he gets older, and this kind of contract could get him another contract worth up to 300 million.
The Los Angeles Times' Jovan Buha has revealed what could be the swan song of LeBron James' partnership with the Lakers this season. This news was confirmed by agent Rich Paul, who made it clear that James plans to drop the player option in the 2024 offseason and move towards the free agent market.
Although the years have not been forgiving, the 39-year-old James is still in the ascendant, and his athletic style and physical condition are enough for him to fight for the Lakers for another three or four seasons. Paul stressed: "Whether the Lakers win the title this season or not, James' future plan is clear. He is looking forward to a new chapter in his career. ”
At the end of the season, James will face a two-year, $97 million contract with the Lakers. However, there are initial indications that he is deliberately declining to exercise his $51 million player option for the 2024-25 season. The decision means James will have the opportunity to pick another team and chase career goals that have not yet been achieved, with Bronny's draft results being an important factor in his decision.
If James chooses to become a free agent, he will prioritize joining three teams. According to Jovan Buha, James already has a preferred next home in mind, including the Mavericks, the Cavaliers, and the team that drafted Bronny.
In the bright stars of the NBA, two rising stars, Doncic and Irving, are gradually emerging and approaching becoming All-Star players on a par with James. And James, the basketball superstar, has a lot of affection for Irving, the outstanding point guard he sees as a pointer. This particular appreciation makes for an impressive combination of Doncic, Irving and James.
Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has been open to signing James. If James is acquired in the summer of 2024 without weakening the team's roster, the Mavericks will be directly promoted to a strong contender for the Western Conference championship, and their deterrent power will pose a huge threat to opponents such as the Mavericks, Timberwolves, Kings and Suns.
According to Jovan Buha, if James decides to leave the Lakers, his first choice would be to play alongside Doncic and Irving. And Cuban will also do everything in his power to win over Bronny to fulfill James' desire to play with his eldest son.
James, on the other hand, has another option, which is to return to the Cavaliers and end his career in his hometown. Over the past six seasons, the Cavaliers have brought together a slew of talented players, including Mitchell, Garland, Mobley, Jarrett Allen, and more. This team already has most of the ingredients to win the championship, just one absolute leader like James. If James chooses to join either the Mavericks or the Cavaliers as a free agent, they will be the most likely team to win a championship in the 2024-25 season.
Even though James is 39 years old, he is still outstanding. He averaged 25 points per game4 points, 7 rebounds8 and 7 assists3 times, 1 steal5 times, showing peak quality. He shot a whopping 53 from the field9%, a record high in six seasons with the Lakers. At the same time, he also shot a career-high 41 from three-point range3%。
Given James' immense influence, commercial value, and current stellar game form, numerous teams will offer him multi-year max contracts once he enters the free agent market. However, according to the "38-year-old clause" in the collective bargaining agreement, players over the age of 38 will be considered a one-year contract, regardless of the number of years of their new contract, and their salary will be fully included in the total salary of the current season. That means James can't get more than two years on his contract whether he stays with the Lakers or moves to the Mavericks, Cavaliers or Bronny's team.
Despite such restrictions, NBA officials have considered amending collective bargaining agreements to add a "James clause" that would allow players over the age of 38 to sign multi-year contracts with a maximum salary. In this regard, James confidently said that he is expected to play until the age of 42 or even longer.