How LeBron James' decision to opt out of contract potentially benefits Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James.
The Lakers may have just gotten a massive break from LeBron James when he opted out of the final year of his contract with the organization.
On Saturday, ESPN's Dave McMenamin reported that James intends to decline his 2024-25 player option but remain with the Lakers, which should not surprise anyone.
This offseason, Los Angeles has already hired his podcasting buddy, JJ Redick, as its head coach and drafted his son, Bronny James, with the No. 55 overall pick of the 2024 NBA Draft.
While ESPN's Bobby Marks noted James is eligible for a three-year, $162 million extension, the largest of his career, Bleacher Report's Chris Haynes revealed James could have other plans.
"The superstar is considering opening up a pathway for the team to obtain the full midlevel exception for the right targets," Haynes wrote on social media.
Per Spotrac, the full, or non-taxpayer, mid-level salary exception (MLE) in 2024-25 is $12,951,000. As the name implies, it's available to teams below the tax line, projected to be $171.3 million for the upcoming season.
With $127.3 million already in the active cap, James would need to take less than the max for Los Angeles to receive the full MLE.
The Lakers could certainly use the help. In his list of Lakers team needs entering free agency, Marks mentioned a ball-handler, 3-and-D players and a versatile backup center to Anthony Davis as the kinds of players they should target.
Since winning the 2020 NBA championship, Los Angeles has had two first-round playoff exits and missed the 2021-22 playoffs entirely. The Lakers were also swept by the Denver Nuggets in the 2023 Western Conference Finals.
Los Angeles has struggled to build a consistent winner around James since he arrived, and a little financial sacrifice on his end could be a big help as the franchise seeks an 18th league championship.
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