Lakers' LeBron James gives ultimate nod of approval for re-signing $10.5M former DPOY originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
With the playoffs arriving, the offseason is quickly approaching, and teams around the league will soon have major decisions to make. For LeBron James, his future will be one of the biggest storylines to monitor. If he decides to return, there is a strong possibility it will be with the Los Angeles Lakers.
“But according to Windhorst, there aren't any NBA teams that will be capable of giving LeBron something in the realm of a $35 million deal, which bodes well for a Lakers return. While plenty of squads would absolutely love to sign LeBron to the mid-level exception, Windhorst suggested that James will be able to make more by signing a new deal with the Lakers,” Lake Show Life’s Colin Keane wrote.
James has been dominant in the playoffs so far, which aligns with the level of intensity he expected heading into the postseason.
“It’s going to be litty. It’s going to be crazy. I’m looking forward to it. I mean me personally like I don’t know how many more postseasons I got left in my career. And we talked about this a while ago, like getting ready for the postseason, like that moment, like it doesn’t matter what you did in the regular season. That sh*t is out the window now. Like it. Doesn’t matter. Like it starts again. This is it. So, I’m excited, man. I can’t wait,” James said.
In Game 2, Marcus Smart stole the spotlight for the Lakers. Afterward, James made it clear that a player like him is essential to the team’s success.
“James did not care if he was beating a dead horse with the statement that was about to follow. LeBron made sure to reemphasize just how important Smart has been to the Lakers with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves both absent. The veteran guard has been so good to the Lakers with his on-court play, off-court leadership, or otherwise. One way or another, with the offseason quickly approaching, the players around Smart are making his case for him when it comes to an extended stay in Los Angeles,” Lake Show Life’s Svyatoslav Rovenchuk wrote.
Smart continues to show he remains a defensive force despite his age. With him on the floor, he adds an entirely different dynamic to the Lakers’ lineup. James knows what a winner looks like when he sees one.
Smart is currently on a $10.5 million deal with the Lakers and holds a player option after this season. If the Lakers want to keep the type of impact player James is advocating for, it will likely require a new contract.