What should I do if the Lakers have done when the contract expires? I can still get a maximum salary at the age of 40, but the team has no money to strengthen

James is 40 years old this year, but he played 70 games in the regular season, averaging 24 points and 8 assists per game, and averaging 25 points and 9 rebounds per game in the playoffs. After the Lakers lost to the Timberwolves 1-4 in the first round, they now have to face a problem: James' contract next season is a $51.42 million player option, and he must decide whether to stay before June 29. The Lakers are in a very awkward situation now. They have to keep James and leave room for rookies, which is difficult to deal with on both sides.

James' total career salary has exceeded $500 million, and he can always sign big contracts in recent years. He signed four contracts with the Lakers, most of which were 1+1 contracts, and he could choose whether to leave every year. Now he has three choices: either execute the last year contract and sign a new contract with a starting salary of about the same; or give up the option to sign 175 million for three years; and then cut the salary to strengthen the Lakers. No matter which one you choose, the Lakers are under great pressure.

The Lakers' problem now is that James is of age, but he can still get a maximum salary. Other players on the team, like Davis, are in a state that is unstable, and among the new players, rookies such as Vincent and Reeves have not yet fully grown. The management can only count money. If James stays in the team, the Lakers will have full salary caps in the next three years and there is basically no room for signing people.

The league has now risen young teams, and teams such as the Thunder and the Timberwolves are all improving their results. The Lakers' first round loss to the Timberwolves last year shows the problem. The opponent's newcomer Edwards is only 23 years old and can already lead the team to the Black Eighth. The Lakers' lineup is aging now. If James is alone, it will definitely not work, but if you don't have money to strengthen it, you can't keep people.

James himself also knows that he plays longer than when he was young, and averages 40 minutes per game in the playoffs. Although the data is good, there are always limits in physical fitness. Lakers fans all know that James cannot play forever, but the team now has no core except him. Pelinka said he wanted to keep him and the rookie at the same time, but past experience shows that such "both wanted and want" words are basically unplayable.

Now the Lakers can only count on James to continue playing and find ways to save money. If James wants a big contract, the Lakers can only lay off people and save money; if he is willing to cut his salary, he might be able to form a new lineup. But James is forty and may not be willing to get less money. Lakers boss Buss definitely hopes that he will stay in the team. After all, James can sell tickets and jerseys, but in fact he still has to rely on the team to play.

The Lakers must be prepared for the next two years. It will be a matter of time before James' form declines. Now we have to train new players, but the money is not enough and the draft picks are limited. The Thunder chose Homegren with the No. 1 pick last year, and the Lakers don't even have a high pick. Management can only watch James choose now, and then go forward with a tough bullet.

What James chooses, the Lakers can only continue to take it. Now it’s useless to say that there is no future plan, let’s get the things in front of you first.