LeBron James’ Lakers extension signals a Russell Westbrook trade is near

Right before the 2022-23 schedule was announced ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski had to drop a massive Woj bomb. The Los Angeles Lakers have signed LeBron James to a two-year contract extension that also even has a player option for the 2024-25 season.

A LeBron James extension has been looming for weeks as the Lakers are trying to turn the current roster into one that can actually contend for an NBA Championship. It was widely believed that LeBron would use this potential extension as leverage to get the Lakers to trade Russell Westbrook this offseason.

It might seem like LeBron is sacrificing his leverage by agreeing to this contract but in reality, this is a great sign for Lakers fans that are sick of seeing Westbrook in the purple and gold. LeBron knows his time is limited in the league and if he is willing to sign this kind of extension he must know something.

LeBron James must know that the Los Angeles Lakers are soon going to trade Russell Westbrook.

I mean, it is the only thing that makes sense with the timing of this extension. LeBron had plenty of time to work out this deal with the Lakers and it is not like he was going to make less money if he waited. This was a negotiating tactic by LeBron and Kluch Sports and he wouldn’t just give that up without getting what he wants.

And while the Lakers are going to dress up Westbrook as someone who can be fixed by Darvin Ham all they want, the reality is that the team and LeBron himself want to see Westbrook out of LA. The Lakers are not winning a championship unless a trade happens.

This could mean that LA is close to getting Kyrie Irving from the Brooklyn Nets, which would in turn signal that a Kevin Durant trade is near. Or, it could be a different Westbrook deal, potentially for a package like Buddy Hield and Myles Turner.

Regardless, the Lakers had to have done something to convince LeBron to sign this extension for two more years plus a player option in his final year. That final player option is the same year that Bronny James will be able to enter the NBA.

That essentially puts the ball in the Lakers’ court: draft Bronny and LeBron will opt into the final year of his contract and finish his career with his son. Don’t draft Bronny and he will opt out and leave to whatever team does draft him.

Mark Cuban confirms Lakers nearly made massive Kobe Bryant mistake

Kobe Bryant will go down as the greatest Los Angeles Lakers player of all time but according to Mark Cuban, he nearly finished his career in Dallas.

However, at the end of the day, LA is guaranteed to have LeBron James for two more years which is great news for this upcoming season, as it signals that the franchise is going to be aggressive and actually do all it can to field a contender.