The Los Angeles Lakers‘ season came to an unceremonious unofficial end on Tuesday night as the Lakers’ loss to the Phoenix Suns eliminated the team from playoff contention. Now it is officially back to the drawing board for LeBron James, Anthony Davis and co. as the team looks to rebound after such a disappointing year.
One of the bigger storylines around the Lakers this summer is a potential contract extension for LeBron James. James is entering the last year of his contract in 2022-23 and the Lakers are going to want to make sure that he does not have the leverage of playing in a contract year.
We know LeBron wants to keep playing after the 2022-23 season as he has made it known that he wants to play with his son before retiring. Bronny James is first eligible to play in the NBA for the 2024-25 season, leaving one gap year between James’s last year with the Lakers and Bronny’s first potential year.
LeBron James may be saving that gap year to play with Stephen Curry.
In an exclusive clip for an upcoming episode of ‘The Shop’ LeBron revealed the players that he would most want to play with in the NBA. Bronny was first on his list with Scottie Pippen and Kobe Bryant being historical names that came to mind.
As far as current players go, LeBron named Stephen Curry as the one player that he would want to play with in the NBA (h/t Joe Price, Complex).
There was some buzz about Stephen Curry potential joining the Los Angeles Lakers before he signed a contract extension with the Golden State Warriors. That ship has since sailed, however, LeBron could be setting up a potential future in which he plays with the two-time MVP.
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If LeBron James does not sign an extension this offseason then he could very well leave the Lakers in the summer of 2023. While the Warriors do not have enough cap space to add a max guy, LeBron has made so much money in his career that he may be willing to take a Mid-Level Exception or even a minimum deal to go play up in Golden State.
Draymond Green does have a player option after the 2022-23 season that he could opt out of to pursue more money. However, if LeBron is coming to town, he might be more willing to opt-in for the chance to win a title, delaying a potential pay raise by one year.
Just like when they signed Kevin Durant, this would instantly make the Warriors the title favorites. While Curry, Thompson and Draymond would all be older, so would the young supporting cast that is only getting better. LeBron is not going to be at the level that he is even at now but he could be the most overqualified second-best player in league history, saving his legs in the regular season while still being a top-10, top-15 guy for the Warriors in the playoffs.
Plus, he would stay in California, can keep his mansion in Brentwood and can make the short trip up to the Bay Area when needed. LeBron’s got money. He can go get a loft to stay in for the regular season if needed.
LeBron James is very calculated with everything that the says to the media. This comment definitely could be teasing a future as a Warrior.