FILE PHOTO: Sep 27, 2019; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James answers questions during the Los Angeles Lakers media day at the UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo, CA. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports/File Photo
James might have been persuaded to forgo financial gain if the Lakers had signed Jonas Valanciunas, Thompson, or James Harden—all of whom are no longer available. The 39-year-old may now be more inclined to pursue a big contract, which could be his last one as an NBA player.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski on SportsCenter, via Lakers Vino, “LeBron James probably takes that full max because the kind of impact player they hoped they could get is not available to them.”
If LA does ink the all-time great to a three-year, $160 million deal like Wojnarowski is predicting, that will be a firm indication to fans that the roster is unlikely to undergo any dramatic transformations. And in a daunting Western Conference, that is a tough reality for them to gleefully accept. The prevailing opinion is that the Lakers need to add another difference-maker in order to make a run at the title.
The urgency to compete in the final years of James’ career, coupled with his own purported intention to leave money on the table for a notable player, should have resulted in some sort of big move being completed by the organization. Alas, general manager Rob Pelinka has yet to make a splash in NBA free agency, or any movement at all beyond retaining Max Christie. It appears that disappointment will define this Lakers’ offseason.
Or is there one last card the team can play?
It’s unknown if LeBron James would give Los Angeles the much-needed cap room in exchange for the chance to sign DeMar DeRozan. The six-time All-Star, according to ESPN senior writer Brian Windhorst and others, is on the list of players whose money is being trimmed.
