The 39-year-old NBA star was expected to turn in his final decision about the contract worth $51.4 million by 5 pm ET Saturday, which he ultimately declined.
However, he’s not quite kicking the purple and gold colours to the curb yet.
His decision comes two days after the team drafted his eldest, Bronny James, at the 2024 NBA Draft. LeBron and Bronny made history, becoming the first father-son duo to be active in the league at the same time. The celebratory achievement made them teammates with the Lakers.
As of now, LeBron has considered stepping out of the spotlight, but staying with the team in other ways, allowing his son his moment to shine in the big league. Paul also reiterated this sentiment, asserting that the James family combo would not be a package deal. He emphasised that LeBron was “off” the “idea” of them playing on the team together since he was more focussed on his son’s growth in the NBA.
A bigger game plan is brewing in James’ mind, as explained by his agent on Saturday: “He is prioritising a roster improvement. He’s been adamant about exuding all efforts to improve the roster.”
Although James has opted out of his current contract with the Lakers, he’s expected to stick around with the team and take a pay cut from his original contract. Either way, he’s expected to share the Lakers colours with his son one way or another. “I need to be on the floor with my boy, I got to be on the floor with Bronny… either in the same uniform or a matchup against him. But I would love to do the whole Ken Griffey Sr. and Jr. thing. That would be ideal for sure,” James previously told ESPN.
