LeBron James Expected To Sign 3-Year, $160 Million Contract With Lakers

LeBron James has to make a decision on his contract situation with the Los Angeles Lakers in a couple of days. He and his agent, Rich Paul, will take into consideration all factors, including LeBron’s player option. Many believe that LeBron will stay on the Lakers roster for a few more seasons, but there are also analysts claiming that he could take his talent somewhere else.

According to Yaron Weitzman from Fox Sports, LeBron will ink a three-year deal worth $160 million.

“James has a $51.4 million player option with the Lakers that he must decide on by June 29,” Weitzman wrote on June 25. “Expect James, 39, to decline that option and sign a new deal — which will likely be the last of his NBA career.

“It’s worth noting that, because of the over-38 rule, no team, including the Lakers, can sign him to a contract for more than three seasons. He’s no longer the game’s best player, but James is still a force coming off an All-NBA season (25.7 points, 8.3 assists and 7.3 rebounds per game while shooting a career-best 41 percent from deep).”

LeBron loves LA, motivated to sign a new contract with the Lakers

Most NBA teams wouldn’t miss the chance to sign the best basketball player of all time, but LeBron is probably staying in LA.

LeBron hasn’t missed a beat despite his age. He averaged 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 8.3 assists this past season. He stayed relatively healthy and saw action in 71 games. Yes, the Lakers have a lot of reasons to keep him around.

“The Philadelphia 76ers will try luring him with their cap space. And look for the Dallas Mavericks to get into the mix,” Weitzman wrote.

“But LeBron loves living in L.A, and in recent years has made clear that he’s done taking pay cuts. It’d be shocking if he didn’t re-sign with the Lakers. The bet here is that he opts out and signs a new three-year deal for $160 million, which will come with a no-trade clause.”