LeBron James has been officially free since Saturday, after declining the option that allowed him to automatically extend with the Los Angeles Lakers. According to Dave McMenamin of ESPN, two options are now available to the King and the Lakers if the adventure between them is to continue, which will likely be the case:
- LeBron James accepts a contract with a lower salary, to allow the Lakers to bring in a player he considers essential to aiming for the title again. Klay Thompson is obviously the player LeBron is thinking of given the latest news on this matter, but McMenamin also brings up the name of James Harden, who has not yet extended with the Clippers.
- LeBron James finds that none of the players he hopes for will be able to come and decides to sign a max contract in his 40th year
A decision will be made before his departure for the Olympics
The situation should in any case be resolved fairly quickly, since the four-time NBA champion wants to clarify his situation before the start of Team USA’s training camp to prepare for the Olympic Games.
Rich Paul, interviewed by ESPN, declared: “LeBron prioritizes improving the roster. He wants to be sure that the Lakers will make every effort to strengthen the squad.”
Other names, more on the margins, have been mentioned in recent days as potential recruits at a lower cost who would satisfy LeBron James, such as that of the Lithuanian pivot Jonas Valanciunas.
Barring any surprises, the “Chosen One” will stay with the Lakers, with a good chance of finishing his career there.
Klay Thompson and the Warriors are over, heading to the Lakers?
