LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated from playoff contention yesterday, as the Phoenix Suns defeated the Lakers in yet another disappointing out for them. This is the second season since LeBron has joined the Lakers that the team has missed out on the NBA playoffs entirely. Other than the one championship season, it has not been a very successful stint for LeBron in LA.
But that stint could continue, as LeBron James is eligible to sign a 2-year, $97 million contract extension with the Los Angeles Lakers. This contract extension would keep LeBron James with the Lakers till 2025 when he would be 41 years old. It's not known whether LeBron James will continue playing at that age, and one has to imagine his level of production will reduce significantly by the age of 41.
Whether the Lakers offer James the contract extension remains to be seen. And the same goes for whether James would actually re-sign with the franchise. Given how the Lakers have been constructing their team over the last few years, it is clear that James' influence on the recruitment process has not had a positive result. So the Lakers will have to be careful with their approach with LeBron.
LeBron and the Lakers will have to step back and look at their team and be very careful with what decisions they make in the offseason. As things stand, it looks like Russell Westbrook will still be with the squad, as his massive $47 million player option is expected to be taken, meaning it will be nearly impossible to trade him before the start of the new season.
The Lakers are expected to change their team massively next season. And one can assume LeBron will play a big role in their recruitment this season.
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