LeBron James seems to be approaching his subsequent Los Angeles Lakers contract with the crew’s roster wants in thoughts.
James, who might be an unrestricted free agent after he opts out of his $51.4 million contract for the 2024-25 NBA season, reportedly has each intention of re-signing with LA — however probably for a reduced worth, his agent, Wealthy Paul of Klutch Sports activities, advised ESPN on Saturday.
“He’s prioritizing a roster enchancment,” Paul advised ESPN. “He is been adamant about exuding all efforts to enhance the roster.”
Paul additionally advised ESPN that James is prepared to signal a contract under the utmost three-year, $162 million threshold to open up the complete $129 million midlevel exception for an “influence participant.”
ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reported Saturday, citing sources, that one of many gamers James is prepared to take a pay lower for is longtime Warriors guard Klay Thompson, who reportedly is “decided” to depart Golden State in free company.
“The kind of participant that James could be prepared to make a monetary sacrifice for could be a longtime veteran playmaker similar to James Harden or Klay Thompson, or a longtime huge man to play alongside Anthony Davis similar to Jonas Valančiūnas, sources advised ESPN,” McMenamin wrote.
If the Lakers cannot add a participant of that caliber in free company, James then will search a max contract, McMenamin added.
Thompson, an LA native, has been linked to the Lakers for years as a possible free-agent or commerce goal ought to his Warriors tenure finish.
His father, Mychal, performed 5 seasons for LA and at the moment is the crew’s radio analyst. He chimed in on X, previously generally known as Twitter, about his son probably suiting up for the Lakers.
Thompson reportedly is in search of a three-year contract in free company, nevertheless it stays to be seen precisely how a lot cash he’s concentrating on.
If he’s open to signing a midlevel exception, may Thompson have a future along with his childhood crew?
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