The Los Angeles Lakers saw their season come to an end on Monday night with a 108-106 loss to the Denver Nuggets in Game 5 of the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs. And with the Lakers eliminated, it sounds like now the team is going to have to do what it can to try to convince LeBron James to remain with the team.
According to a report from NBA insider Brian Windhorst of ESPN, LeBron James is expected to opt out of his current contract with the Lakers and become a free agent.
“I do think that LeBron intends to opt out of his contract and become a free agent for the first time since 2018.ย I think that will apply a little bit of pressure to the Lakers,” Windhorst said.
"I think LeBron intends to opt out of his contract and become a free agent for the first time since 2018."
๐ @WindhorstESPN pic.twitter.com/4LkT1tMFmW
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) April 30, 2024
Windhorts listed three reasons why he thinks that James is planning to opt out of his contract with the Lakers.
First off, Windhorst reports that James wants to see the offseason moves the Lakers choose to make to build a talented roster. Secondly, he wants to see if the Lakers select his son, Bronny James, in the upcoming NBA Draft. Lastly, he will likely seek more favorable terms in his contract such as multiple seasons and perhaps a no-trade clause.
Obviously, this led to a lot of reactions from the NBA world.
I think LeBron intends to play wherever Bronny plays. https://t.co/IS3nUzIx8e
— ๐ฟ๐๐ ๐ถ๐๐๐๐๐๐ (๐ป๐ฎ) (@TheKnudson) April 30, 2024
opt out and give a discount, otherwise we canโt build a contender here with the FO. https://t.co/SRv1OSUnYV
— Hunty (@Hunttyy) April 30, 2024
Windy is as plugged as anyone.
This should be fun. https://t.co/cHxmoRZ8YK
— Sean Fitzgerald (@fitzonsportsbsr) April 30, 2024
Lebron wants to keep his leverage. Has always done that.
I still think he stays in LA with the Lakers making a move to get another star player in there with him and AD https://t.co/EnFKO5xOP8
— Matt Fontana (@MattFontana83) April 30, 2024
Interesting https://t.co/3HGlhOkaAD
— ๐Yแบนmรญ FYL (@Ooduan1) April 30, 2024
No surprises there!! Weather he comes back to lakers or not this is the move anyways!! https://t.co/WshjxYveE3
— Harsha (@harshaaa23) April 30, 2024
“I do think we’re going to be hearing from silence from LeBron between now and the end of June as we watch what the Lakers do as a team,” Windhorst said.
We’ll have to see if the Lakers can keep him.
[Get Up]
