LeBron James returns to free agency.
James has been on the market three times in his career. In 2010, “The Decision” saw him sign and trade with the Cavaliers and leave for the Heat. He then returned to the Cavaliers in the 2014 offseason after winning a pair of titles in Miami. After bringing a title to Cleveland, he left in 2018 to sign with the Lakers.
The superstar, widely regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time, will be available to all 30 teams once he opts out of the final years of his contract with Los Angeles, as expected. He has a player option for just over $51 million for next season, but is likely to opt out of the deal and test the free agency waters for a fourth time.
James will turn 40 in December, but that doesn’t mean the market is going to cool off. By all accounts, the legendary player remains the most marketable star in the game and continues to play at a high level, having averaged 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and 8.3 assists over the past season, along with career averages in each department.
Where will the four-time MVP go in free agency? Here’s what you need to know.
LeBron James Free Agency Tracker
James opts out of his contract with the Lakers
- Date: June 29
- Fountain: Shams Charania, Atlético
James will opt out of his contract with the Lakers, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic, declining his $51.4 million player option.
This is no surprise, even though he is expected to return to the Lakers after the franchise drafted Bronny James. Charania reports that the expectation is that James will sign a new contract with the Lakers, which will give him more long-term security and likely a higher salary.
James will be able to negotiate with other teams, if he chooses, after 6 p.m. ET on Sunday.
Will LeBron James take a pay cut?
- Date: June 28th
- Fountain: Brian Windhorst, ESPN
LeBron James has a player option for next season that requires a decision soon. Brian Windhorst floated the idea of the future Hall of Famer opting out and taking a pay cut.
“What if LeBron James, for the first time in 15 years, was willing to take a pay cut?” Windhorst said on NBA Today. “He is. I feel very comfortable with Bronny’s choice right now.”
“What if LeBron James, for the first time in 15 years, was willing to take a pay cut?” ? @WindhorstESPN predicts what could be the biggest surprise in NBA free agency ? pic.twitter.com/KucriYZiie
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 28, 2024
Windhorst said that if D’Angelo Russell opts out of his contract and James accepts $10 million to $12 million less, the Lakers could be players in free agency. If Russell opts to opt out of his contract, Los Angeles could trade the former second overall pick and still have some salary flexibility with James’ pay cut.
The Lakers select Bronny James with the 55th pick
- Date: June 27th
Expectations of James re-signing with the Lakers grew stronger Thursday when the franchise selected his son, Bronny James, with the 55th overall pick in the NBA Draft.
While James and his agent Rich Paul have not indicated that the draft would make the 39-year-old more likely to return, James has said for the past few years that his ultimate goal was to play alongside his son. Even if Bronny doesn’t receive regular minutes with the Lakers, that goal is now easily within reach.
James also caused a stir by posting a photoshopped image on Instagram of Bronny in a Lakers jersey and himself in a Lakers jersey. Most fans interpreted that as the clearest sign yet that he plans to return and play alongside his son.
Between drafting James’ son and hiring his former podcast co-host as their head coach, the Lakers appear to have set themselves up for at least one more run with the all-time NBA great.
Lakers commit to re-signing James
- Date: June 24
- Fountain: Dave McMenamin, ESPN
The Lakers have already hired JJ Redick, a coach who many believe is James’ choice to lead the team. And it appears his efforts will go beyond simply choosing the right coach.
ESPN reported that Los Angeles is “committed to re-signing” James, and that the team would be prepared to offer the three-year maximum deal for James, a contract that would top $160 million in total.
If he signs a three-year extension, James would be under contract until age 42. If he played that long, he would become the sixth player in NBA history to play a season at age 42 or older. according to StatheadThe other players have a combined 54 starts at that age and older.
James is expected to opt out and re-sign with the Lakers
- Date: June 20th
- Fountain: Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times
Regardless of what moves Los Angeles can make to appease James, the expectation is that he will opt out of his contract with the Lakers. However, that doesn’t mean he rules out returning to the Lakers.
In fact, the Los Angeles Times reported that James is expected to re-sign with the Lakers even if he declines his player option with the team.
Although he could have simply stayed in Los Angeles and accepted the player option, canceling the contract and signing a new one with the Lakers would give him the ability to include a no-trade clause in the deal. He would also allow him to test the market and see what other offers there might be for the superstar.