The 2022-23 NBA season could be crucial for the future of LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers. While the team aimsto get back to glory days after two disappointing seasons (especially the last one), The King could be playing his final year with the Purple and Gold.
With his contract expiring at the end of the season, it remains to be seen whether LeBron will continue being a Laker in 2023. He could make a decision about it soon, as he will be eligible for a two-year extension next month.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, LeBronâs decision about his contract could depend on what kind of roster the Lakers have built by then. Therefore, the Lakers would not only pursue Kyrie Irving to contend, but also to convince James to stay.
Rumor: LeBron Jamesâ extension may depend on Lakersâ pursuit ofKyrie Irving
(Transcript via Fadeaway World)
âYou can safely presume that Westbrook is aware of Jamesâ stance. He surely knows, no matter what Ham says, that the other two starry prongs in last seasonâs ill-fated Big Three â James and Anthony Davis â are eager for a trade to materialize that essentially swaps Westbrook for Irving, even though both campaigned for the Lakers to acquire Westbrook from Washington last summer despite Lakers general manager Rob Pelinkaâs advanced talks with Sacramento on a deal headlined by perimeter shooting specialist Buddy Hield.
âThis is more reminder than reporting: LeBron becomes eligible for a two-year contract extension in the $100 million range on Aug. 4. Thatâs less than a month away and those talks could (stress: could) be influenced by the state of the Lakersâ roster (or inject the Irving pursuit with some fresh urgency).â
Irving has recently opted into his player option with Brooklyn, but he could be on his way outfollowing Kevin Durantâs trade request. It remains to be seen whether the Lakers can offer a deal that pleases the Nets, as they donât look interested in Russell Westbrook. Meanwhile, the team still has time to improve its roster and show LeBron why he should re-sign.
