The Los Angeles Lakers are entering a crucial summer, with everyone’s eyes on their star player and sure-to-be Hall of Famer, James. His upcoming decision has the potential to impact the team’s future significantly. James is set to become a free agent this summer, and retaining the four-time NBA MVP is the Lakers’ top priority. Although the odds of James remaining in Los Angeles are high, there is still a possibility that he might join another team.
In his recent article, a senior writer, Chris Herring, discusses ten trades or deals that should occur this offseason. Herring argues that the Philadelphia 76ers should aim to acquire James.
LeBron James is expected to decline his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers before the June 29 deadline. The NBA draft, featuring his son, LeBron James Jr., is scheduled for June 26.
LeBron has long voiced his aspiration to play alongside Bronny in the NBA. Now, with their agent, Rich Paul, the pair has significant leverage to turn this dream into reality.
It would need James to opt out of his one-year, $51.4 million contract with the Lakers,” Herring wrote. “After a season in which both he and Anthony Davis were the healthiest they’ve been as a pair since joining forces in 2019-20, James may believe there isn’t enough potential to win another championship with the purple and gold.
If he comes to that conclusion, he could do far worse than the Sixers, who not only have a ton of cap space and could offer James a maximum of three years for $157 million, but also Embiid, the 2022–23 MVP, and 23-year-old speedster Tyrese Maxey, who will be a restricted free agent this summer, allowing the Sixers to match any offer made to him. Earlier this season, James praised Maxey on his “Mind the Game” podcast with JJ Redick. “You can’t get a hold of him because the motherf—er doesn’t get tired,” James said of Maxey, who made his All-Star debut in February.
Tobias Harris, who never served as a third or fourth option in Philadelphia and most likely ended his Sixers career with a scoreless effort when the Sixers lost to the Knicks in the first round of the 2024 playoffs, would take Tobias Harris’ place. James generates significantly more offense than Harris, who often stands in the corner. During these playoffs, just 34.8% of James’ shots from inside the arc were assisted, while 62.5% of Harris’ twos came from a teammate. James is also coming off his finest perimeter shooting season (41%), during which he improved his stroke to align his shoulders with the hoop better.
On Monday, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said on “Get Up” that the 76ers are threatening to sign James, but not seriously.
This summer, the 76ers seem to be after every top talent. They are one of the NBA’s greatest wild cards coming into the offseason, with the potential to generate roughly $65 million in salary space this summer. The Sixers can sign a top free agent while still having money to acquire a key role player.
All indicators lead to James staying in Los Angeles and concluding his career with the Purple and Gold. According to Fox Sports, the Lakers have the greatest chance to sign James at -450. The Cleveland Cavaliers (+700), Golden State Warriors (+1200), and Philadelphia 76ers (+2000) round out the top four, after the Lakers. It looks like the King will stay in Los Angeles.
