LeBron James is finally in the window where he can extend his contract beyond the end of the 2022-23 season. With Bronny James projected to be entering the league in 2024, there is a chance that LeBron doesn’t even intend on staying with the Lakers. The team hasn’t agreed on his wishes multiple times over the last season, from passing on DeMar DeRozan for Russell Westbrook to not trading Westbrook away for Kyrie Irving yet.
However, there is a chance LeBron signs the extension and entitles himself to $50 million a season through ages 39 and 40. That would be a pretty payday for anyone, but LeBron is already a billionaire and doesn’t need the cash from his contract to maintain his lifestyle.
As a result, Skip Bayless has challenged LeBron to take a discount on his next extension to give the Lakers some room to add talent around LeBron, similar to what Tim Duncan had done towards the end of his tenure with the San Antonio Spurs.