Lakers view LeBron James as an expiring contract 

LeBron opted into his $52.6 million player option, which means, unless a new contract is constructed, King James will become a free agent next season.

According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, this points to the Lakers being ready to move on from LeBron after his contract expires.

“They haven’t put out a statement. It’s not a rule that you put out a statement when a player picks up an option but it is customary, and the Lakers did not do that,” Windhorst said. “I had to actually check with the team and the league. I said, ‘Did LeBron actually opt in?’ And they said, ‘Yes, the paperwork went through. He opted into his contract.

“Last year when LeBron signed a contract extension, Rob Pelinka had about a 115-word quote talking about how wonderful LeBron James is and what he means to the Lakers and what he means to their franchise. Yesterday there was no statement.”

Windhorst went on to add how strange a situation LeBron now finds himself in.

“There’s something that’s unusual here, and it’s unusual for LeBron to be in this spot,” Windhorst said. “He’s signed nine contracts in his illustrious career. Eight of them have had player options in them. Not once in the eight times has he ever taken that player option.

“He’s always opted to sign into a new contract. This is the first time in 22 years that he’s ever been on a contract in his last year.”

Could LeBron be on his way out of LA? It is beginning to look that way. The only question that remains is if he’ll leave before this season or finish one last year out as a member of the Lakers.