LeBron James Expected To Opt Out Of Contract, Make Big Ask Of Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers will enter a really important offseason this year. They didn’t make any moves at the trade deadline, but will definitely make changes this summer. LeBron James is making the biggest headlines at the end of the regular season and NBA analysts have made some predictions regarding his contract with the Lakers.

The four-time NBA champion reminded fans that he will have to retire at some point. LeBron can’t play forever, but he has a few great years left in tank. The Lakers superstar has an option to opt out of his current deal with the Lakers or exercise his player option.

LeBron to make a big decision on his Lakers contract

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst believes that LeBron will opt out of his contract with the Lakers and sign an extension.

“I think LeBron’s gonna opt out no matter what,” Windhorst said on the April 8 edition of “The Hoop Collective” podcast, which he hosts. “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. If he extends the contract he’s in or picks up that option [and] extends onto it, he can’t get a no-trade clause. And I think — for a number of different reasons — LeBron would like, ask for and probably be granted a no-trade clause.”

LeBron can get a contract extension with the Lakers and he can also ask for a no-trade clause. Is this even possible? NBA teams don’t really offer this clause in order to avoid any inconvenience.

“There may be some debate between [James] and the Lakers about whether he should get three years, whether a third year would be a team option or a player option or not guaranteed or whatever,” Windhorst added. “I think there could be some interesting negotiations back and forth on that.”