One of the biggest storylines in the NBA as we head into the stretch run of the 2023-24 regular season is the future of LeBron James. With the superstar forward continue his career with the Los Angeles Lakers, or will he be playing out the last few seasons of his career elsewhere?
James has a player option for the 2024-25 season that many people are expecting him to decline so that he can become a free agent. It is something he has done throughout his NBA career, so no one is expecting that to change now.
However, there is another factor to keep in mind about it this time around; his son, Bronny. Bronny is a freshman at USC and James has made it clear that the only goal he has left in his NBA career is to play alongside his son.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: LeBron James, Bronny James, 2024 NBA Free Agency, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Based on early projections, it is hard to imagine any NBA team using a draft pick, especially a first-rounder, on his son right now. Bronny and USC as a whole have struggled this season, as he was recently moved from mock drafts altogether.
That hasn’t quieted the speculation around James, who could change the landscape of the league with his free agency decision. If Bronny does declare for the NBA Draft and a team selects him, will James sign with that franchise in free agency?
A lot can change between now and the draft in late June and free agency beginning in July. But, according to ESPN insider Brian Windhorst, there is already a plan materializing for James, who may not be leaving Los Angeles after all.
“I think LeBron is angling to sign a multi-year deal in the offseason with the Lakers that will be nine figures. That will be even bigger than the deal he is on now,” Windhorst said, via NBA Retweet on X.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: LeBron James, Bronny James, 2024 NBA Free Agency, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
These are rumors people are keeping a close eye on because of what occurred ahead of the NBA Trade Deadline. Rumors swirled that James could be on the move, as preliminary discussions were had between the Lakers and Golden State Warriors.
That was the first indication that James could be on the move, looking for an exit from the Lakers. However, based on Windhorst’s report, it sounds like he could be considering a long-term stay in Los Angeles for a massive contract extension.
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