Lakers prepare 3-year maximum offer for LeBron James

LeBron James can take his talents elsewhere by declining a $51.4 million option in his contract for the 2024-25 season before Sunday’s deadline, but the Lakers are looking to redirect the 39-year-old to Los Angeles with a new maximum of three years. offer, according to ESPN.

James cannot be offered a contract longer than three years under the NBA’s rule limiting the length of contracts teams can offer players over 38.

That caps the three-year offer the Lakers can make James at a maximum of $162 million. The first step is his player option, although he could decline the option, test free agency and opt for a short-term deal if that is his preference.

“We want to respect and honor LeBron’s ability to make a decision regarding his contract on June 29,” Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka said Tuesday.

Also read: NBA: Lakers announce JJ Redick as their new head coach

James and new head coach JJ Redick, a 20-time All-Star, are scheduled to turn 40 on December 30. They were co-hosts of a popular podcast “Mind the Game” last season and clearly have a connection with shared thinking on key elements of player development and team culture.

Pelinka said Tuesday that James was “supportive” of the Lakers’ search but chose not to get too involved, which is the opposite of the approach taken by All-Star teammate Anthony Davis.

Redick turned 40 on Tuesday and the new head coach said he only had a brief conversation with James this week after being offered the job Darvin Ham has held for the past two seasons.

With max cap space available, the Philadelphia 76ers are seen as an imminent threat to the Lakers if James opts out of his contract. The Sixers are among the teams showing the most interest in James’ oldest son, USC guard Bronny James, ahead of the 2024 NBA Draft on Wednesday, according to multiple reports.