Season 23! James expects to execute a contract option of 52.6 million

ESPN reporter Dave McMenamin reported that several sources revealed that LeBron James expects the option to execute the last year of the contract, worth $52.6 million. The Lakers are expected to have only a luxury tax special case worth 5.7 million in the offseason to use.

James will turn 41 in December and has started basketball training after a second-degree strain on the medial collateral ligament of his left knee. Several sources said that earlier, James and Brownie trained in the strength room together. Since 2023, there have been speculations about James' retirement in every offseason. A person familiar with James's ideas revealed that James has no idea whether this is his last season.

There were constant heavy trades during the offseason, Kevin Durant was sent to the Rockets, and the Grizzlies traded Bain to the Magic. The Celtics sold Holiday and Porzingis, and the Pelicans sent McCollum away. But the Lakers are relatively quiet, with only Dalton Kneckett and the first round pick in 2031. In addition, the expiration contracts of Hachimura Hachimura (18.3 million), Vincent (11.5 million) and Maxi Cleber (11 million) can match their salary. Reeves is the real estate that Pelinka calls.

This week there are rumors that the Lakers are talking about the deal between Walker Kessler and Andrew Wiggins. But the Jazz's asking price for Kessler is multiple first-round picks. The Lakers are also interested in centers such as Hawks Okongu, Nets Clarkston, Trail Blazers Robert Williams, Clint Capela, Al Horford, Brooke Lopez.