Lakers LeBron James Rare Contract Move A ‘Foregone Conclusion’ Per NBA Exec

LeBron James and his contract situation with the Los Angeles Lakers have been making headlines for quite some time. The four-time NBA champion has a few options to consider this offseason. He is free to make the best decision and Bronny could have a great impact.

NBA analysts believe that LeBron will opt out of his deal with the Lakers and become a free agent. A Western Conference executive is convinced that LeBron will opt out in order to get a no-trade clause in his new contract.

“I think that is a foregone conclusion,” the Western Conference executive told Heavy Sports. “I think he will opt out, he will want the full option they can give him (a three-year, $162 million contract) and they will have to put in the (no-)trade clause, too.”

The Lakers front office will play wise with this one. They have to decide whether they want LeBron to be around in the next few seasons. He has just finished his 21^st regular season, but his game is still sharp. LeBron is the ultimate leader for the team and his stats are crazy!

“Look you do not trade LeBron James at this point in his career if you do not know that it is something he wants,” the executive said. “He’s not a fourth-year mid-rotation guy here. He’s LeBron James and he has earned it. So the Lakers, if they were going to trade him, would always make sure they go to him first and get his stamp on it. So a no-trade clause, it just formalizes what’s already going on.”

LeBron would want to have the no-trade clause in his new contract

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported that LeBron will go after the no-trade clause in pretty much any scenario. He may get a new deal, but he will also make sure that the offer contains the clause. NBA teams don’t usually include it in their offers though.

“I think LeBron’s gonna opt out no matter what,” Windhorst said. “And the reason I think he’s gonna opt out no matter what is even if he just signs back for one year, the only functional way for LeBron to get a no-trade clause is to sign a new contract. … And I think for a number of different reasons, LeBron would like, ask for and probably be granted a no-trade clause.

“There may be some debate between him and the Lakers whether he should get three years, whether the third year would be a team option or a player option or not guaranteed or whatever.”