Lakers Rumors: LeBron James Hoping For Insane 3-Year New Contract With LA
20-time Los Angeles Lakers combo forward LeBron James, currently the NBA’s oldest player, is looking to extend his career through what would be his age-42 season.
The 6’9” superstar could opt out of the final year of his current deal for 2024-25, worth $51.4 million, this summer.
Brian Windhorst of ESPN, who has been reporting on James since his high school days at St. Vincent-St. Mary in Akron, indicated that James is hoping to remain in Los Angeles to (presumably) close out his career, in a lucrative fresh deal.
“I don’t think this is LeBron’s last stand, I don’t think this is the Lakers’ last stand,” Windhorst said. “First off, I think LeBron is angling to sign a multi-year 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.”
Stunningly, given James’ mileage to this point (keep in mind, he has appeared in an NBA Finals for half of his finished seasons to this point, and has also enjoyed deep Conference Finals runs in two other seasons) hasn’t really stopped him from being a borderline All-NBA talent yet again. He remains a top box office draw, and continues to be a shockingly good player well into his dotage (this is Year 21 for him). He’s been underpaid for years. It may be worth it for Los Angeles owner Jeanie Buss to finally overpay the guy here at the end of the line.
Across 51 contests this year, James is averaging 25 points on a .524/.401/.736 slash line, 7.9 assists and 7.2 rebounds.
