LeBron James free agency: What kind of contract can Lakers star sign, and which teams may be interested

LeBron James free agencies tend to be seismic events. His 2010 Decision (capital-D) to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Miami Heat changed the balance of power between players and teams forever. His 2014 decision (lower case-d) to return to the Cavaliers set up one of the most memorable championships the NBA has ever seen in 2016. His 2018 choice to depart Cleveland and head west to play for the Los Angeles Lakers resurrected a historic franchise after half a decade in the toilet.

Now, for the first time since 2018, James has the ability to become a free agent again. It is not a guarantee that he will. James has a $51.4 million player option with the Lakers that he can choose to accept or decline by June 29. Should he decline it, he hits the open market. So where is James going to play the 2024-25 season? How much money can he earn? Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the James’ possible free agency.

How much money can he make?

There are three contract formats we need to cover here, all of which are different variations of the max. First thing’s first: no matter where James signs, he can only agree to a contract that lasts three total seasons. This is because of the Over-38 Rule, a CBA safeguard against teams paying older players after they retire as a form of cap circumvention. James is 39, so he obviously meets the age requirement to trigger that rule.

The most lucrative contract James can sign this offseason would come in the form of an opt-in and eventual extension, most likely with the Lakers, but potentially with another team through a trade. That deal would start at his option number, which is roughly $51.4 million, and then include 8% annual raises for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 season. The total figure would be a little bit over $164 million.

Year

Salary

2024-25

$51,415,938

2025-26

$54,285,000

2026-27

$58,627,800

Total

$164,328,738

There are two important notes to remember on this format, though. First, James cannot sign it until Aug. 18, the two-year anniversary of his last extension. The second is that James would not be…

Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/lebron-james-free-agency-what-kind-of-contract-can-lakers-star-sign-and-which-teams-may-be-interested/

Author : Sam Quinn

Publish date : 2024-05-31 15:37:55

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