[Bontemps] “By our metrics, he (LeBron) remains a top-25 player in the league and if not for his age, we’d probably assess him at near max player level,” one Eastern Conference team strategist told ESPN. “Our coaches would tell you he ranks even higher than that when his legs and back are feeling…
[Bontemps] “By our metrics, he (LeBron) remains a top-25 player in the league and if not for his age, we’d probably assess him at near max player level,” one Eastern Conference team strategist told ESPN. “Our coaches would tell you he ranks even higher than that when his legs and back are feeling…
The Lakers paid James $52 million this season, and he was an All-Star and probably would’ve made the All-NBA team if he played five more games. His impact and leadership down the stretch were difference-making as the Lakers fought their way to home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs and then pulled an “upset” over the Houston Rockets.
“By our metrics, he remains a top-25 player in the league and if not for his age, we’d probably assess him at near max player level,” one Eastern Conference team strategist told ESPN.
“Our coaches would tell you he ranks even higher than that when his legs and back are feeling good.”
Yet it is highly unlikely any outside team would be willing to offer James such a contract. Signing him wouldn’t make sense for the teams with big cap space such as the Wizards, Bulls or Nets. James also would probably have a very short list of preferred destinations – such as, hypothetically, the Golden State Warriors – that aren’t in position to have significant cap space this summer.
So do the Lakers, a team that needs to add to its roster around Luka Doncic, bid against themselves when making James an offer?
“I’d pay LeBron whatever he wants as long as it’s a one-year deal, no player option. Give him the no-trade clause,” an East executive said. “Everything [new Lakers owner Mark] Walter has done so far has been about good business.
“LeBron sells tickets. He keeps the [local] TV partner happy. Re-signing LeBron is good business.”
Bontemps: The “if not for his age” line from the strategist is a fairly important one, given James entered this season as the oldest player in the NBA, will turn 42 in September amid a presumed record-extending 24th season. The general sentiment from conversations during this week’s draft combine was that James will suit up for 2026-27.
Those facts, coupled with his still-elite performance, led multiple league insiders in Chicago to declare James deserves “as much money as he wants.”
But that’s before you get into the realistic business end of the discussion. The question instead comes down to whether James would accept a deal in the range of the midlevel exception, projected at just over $15 million for 2026-27, to play somewhere else?
“I think he should sign for whatever the best situation is for him,” an East executive said. “What does he want to do [money-wise], and where?”