In the US they estimate: LeBron's contract extension - preparation for a big move in 2024

The joint economic planning with the Lakers, the decision on the future of Westbrook and its consequences and the planning to play with Bruni: the implications of signing a new agreement

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08/18/2022

Thursday, August 18, 2022, 10:01 am

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LeBron James scores 42 points in summer league (from Twitter)

The biggest move of the summer in the NBA came last night (Wednesday) in the form of LeBron James signing a contract extension with the Los Angeles Lakers for two more years beyond the original agreement he held, i.e. until 2025, when a year before that the "king" will have the option to become to a free agent.

In the United States they analyzed James' decision and emphasized that its main meaning is that he is expected to make another big move in two years from now.

In fact, the talks between the Lakers and LeBron were made out of a desire to ensure flexibility for both sides in the future, when on the one hand the star is already thinking not only about the ambitions to win more championships, but also about the day when he will be able to collaborate with his son Bruno on the same team, while the Lakers know that James will play They have a maximum of three more years, so they must think ahead in regards to salary cap management and draft picks.

LeBron, who will earn $97.1 million in the two additional years he signed last night, has allowed the team to now focus on building the roster for the upcoming season, when the Lakers' next critical decision will be regarding Russell Westbrook.

In Los Angeles, they may wait for the center who disappointed in his first season with the team to finish his contract in 2023 and free up about $47 million in the salary cap, where the Lakers will have more flexibility with the end of the contracts of other players, and thus it will be possible to divide the budget to strengthen the support team around LeBron and Anthony Davis.

On the other hand, there is the option to increase efforts to transfer Westbrook in a trade before the deadline of this February, when a deal that lands Kyrie Irving in the City of Angels would be the ideal destination for the club, which will remain competitive in the fight for the championship in this way.

However, such a move would leave the Lakers limited by the salary cap, and other teams are likely to demand the Purple-Gold's first-round picks in 2027 and 2029 in such a trade as an incentive to agree to a "carryover."

The extension of the contract was done with the thought of cooperation with Bruni.

LeBron James and his son (Photo: GettyImages, Christian Petersen)

Beyond that, LeBron's exit option in two years will come at the same time as the option that Davis holds for an early termination of his contract, and if both stars leave at the same time - this will give the Lakers great salary flexibility for the rebuilding process.

If LeBron and AD decide to stay in Los Angeles until 2025, then in that year a new broadcasting rights agreement will be signed in the NBA, and even in this case the team will be able to recalculate a new course financially.

James, who has already explicitly stated that he will spend the last year of his career with the team that selects his son in the draft and it doesn't matter who it is, has arranged for himself the possibility to decide on the next destination in 2024, the closest date when Baroni will be eligible to register for the draft assuming he is good Enough of that.

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• Los Angeles Lakers

• LeBron James