LeBron James Has Decisions to Make With His Contract. What's Best for the Lakers?

We learned heading into the weekend that even if the Lakers managed to push through Game 5 and extend their series with Minnesota, they'd likely finish whatever playoff run remained without LeBron James, who suffered a strained MCL in Wednesday's loss. 

Now, of course, it's on to the business of the offseason. And while the team doesn't belong to James anymore, his choices are likely to be most impactful in the near term for LA. (Luka Dončić is expected to choose whatever type of contact extension structure he wants, and the Lakers will happily provide it.) LeBron heads into this season with a player option, and what comes next will have a big influence on how the Lakers built what they hope to be a championship caliber squad in both the near and long term. 

LeBron could opt in to the last deal of his contract, and essentially make himself an unrestricted free agent next season. 

He could opt out, and sign a deal that leaves money on the table, allowing the Lakers to get a better class of free agent—a full mid-level exception rather than a taxpayer mid-level. He could opt out and sign a one year deal for the max. He could also continue with the pattern of one-and-ones, where he signs a two year deal where only the first year is guaranteed, and the second would be a player option. 

So which one is best for the Lakers? 

 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

 

SEGMENT 1: LeBron has options!

 

SEGMENT 2: What those options mean for LA. 

 

SEGMENT 3: What's best for the Lakers? 

 

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