LeBron James potentially entering free agency is one of the most anticipated narratives in the upcoming offseason. His decision this coming summer has attracted even more attention after it was reported by ESPN’s Brian Windhorst that the LA Lakers superstar is looking to sign a deal worth at least $100,000,000
One of the most-anticipated stories of the summer is that LeBron James might become a free agent. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said that the LA Lakers star wants to sign a deal worth at least $100,000,000 for this coming summer. This has made his choice even more interesting.
An eight-figure deal is very large, but a team can sign LeBron to a multi-year deal worth more than $100,000,000.00. If he turns down his player option for the 2024–25 season, he will be able to sign with any team he wants. This summer, many teams may compete to sign him.
How much does LeBron James’s deal with the LA Lakers really worth?Leon James got a two-year extension with the LA Lakers before the start of the 2022–23 season. He will stay with the team through the 2023–24 and 2024–25 seasons. The last year of his deal is a player option, which means he can walk away this summer if he wants to.
His deal is worth $99,023,288 over two years. Part of that, $47,607,350, is paid for in his first year. The other $51,415,938 starts if he chooses to play next season.
This is pretty close to the $100,000,000 deal he’s said to want. In the coming off-season, these teams will be able to make room on their rosters for LeBron James.
There are five teams that can pay LeBron James’ high price tag of $100 million in 2024.
#1: The Los Angeles LakersIf the LA Lakers want to keep LeBron James, they are still ahead of everyone else. His only choice is to turn it down, which would make him a free agent, and he could then renegotiate a multi-year deal to stay in LA.
The 20-time All-Star is most likely to stay in LA, and they are the best team to offer him a nine-figure deal.
#2 The Los Angeles ClippersIn relation to remaining in Los Angeles, LeBron may sign with the Lakers’ rival team from his hometown. It might be time to blσw up the Paul George-Kawhi Leonard combination before it’s too late if things don’t work out for them, especially now that they have James Harden.
In order to create room for LeBron, the Clippers may have to trade away one of its existing stars while they are still performing well. Though there are a few situations that could occur, they may attempt to get the four-time MVP.#3 The Warriors of Golden StateLeBron James and Steph Curry were allegedly tried to be paired by the Golden State Warriors this offseason, but the plan failed. This offseason, they’ll have another opportunity to sign their official opponent, but they’ll need to rearrange their roster.
The largest obstacles for them are the contracts that Andrew Wiggins and Draymond Green have. However, if they can manage to part with one of these and reorganize the other, they’ll have more room to maneuver and make another attempt to get LeBron, which would be the ideal win-now move.
#4 Blazers of Portland TrailIn what will probably be LeBron’s last years on the field, will the Portland TrailBlazers be a nice team for him to play for? No. Are they going to be able to afford it? Indeed. The Blazers are a rebuilding squad whose hopes are high for Scoot Henderson’s progress.
Malcolm Brogdon, Jerami Grant, and Deandre Ayton should all be traded somewhere because they are currently unwanted. They can completely flip around from rebuilding to contending if they can sign LeBron to a multi-year, nine-figure contract and retain either Grant or Brogdon.
The #5 Philadelphia 76ersThe Philadelphia 76ers’ first goal is to pay Tyrese Maxey what he is worth in order to retain him. After that’s resolved, they can attempt to go after LeBron James in an effort to assist Joel Embiid in leaving the East for good.
LeBron has won a championship for every team he has played for thus far, and the 76ers are eager to win one. LeBron’s hire may be the key that ultimately allows them to advance to the NBA Finals.
