Expert Takeaways from Reported LeBron James LA Lakers Extension

The clarity they need to move forward will be given by the two-year, $97.1 million extension that James agreed to with the Lakers.

For the upcoming 2022-23 season, it's not certain whether that future will include Russell Westbrook. The Lakers will be able to make major changes to their roster if James is under contract through at least the next two decades.

What amount of money?

A veteran like James can extend for 20 percent more than his previous salary, which would add up to over 50 million dollars. The maximum salary for the upcoming season is $46 million.

James will only get a 5 percent raise over his 2022-23 salary, though the exact figure won't be determined until June of next year. If the cap goes up, James could make as much as $46 million.

James has a player option worth more than $50 million for 25 years, which is in line with Anthony Davis' option.

If both James and Davis leave, the Lakers will have to keep their books clean for July 2024. They could run for three years in the hope that James and Davis finish their deals.

The NBA's next national television deal could change the league's economy.

There is a potential cap room in the future.

While waiting for James to sign his extension, the Lakers have been very careful about their financial flexibility. The most significant acquisition of the off-season is Lonnie Walker IV. Second-round pick Max Christie and veteran Damian Jones are the only two players they've signed.

If the cap lands at $133 million and Talen Horton-Tucker picks up his $11 million player option, the Lakers will have up to $20 million in cap space next summer. If both Horton-Tucker and Jones opt out, that figure could go up to $32 million.

The Lakers have a $5.8 million room mid-level exception if they go the cap space route. They would have access to the non-taxpayer mid-level and bi-annual if they stayed over the cap.

The maximum salary next summer is predicted to be between $33.3 million and $46.6 million.

The Lakers are unlikely to take on additional salary via trade if the cap space is not already there.

What is the next thing for the man?

The Lakers have not been willing to part with a lot of draft capital in order to get off of the contract. Uncertainty surrounding James' future is now put to rest.

Sources say that the Lakers will green-light trades that include both their first- and second-round picks for Westbrook. It is not clear if L.A. will be willing to do so.

If the Lakers decided to go all-in on building a contender around James and Davis for the next few seasons, holding out for the uncertainty of cap space in 2023 wouldn't be pragmatic They should look for a team that wants to get out of multiyear commitments for Westbrook.

The Utah Jazz traded Rudy Gobert, who was an All-Star. They might be willing to take on picks and salaries for players like Mike Conley and Rudy Gay. The Lakers could be interested in Patrick and Bojan in the final years of their contracts.

The Spurs have enough cap space to make an unbalanced trade for Westbrook, but they might want the Lakers to take on Doug McDermott's contract. Josh Richardson is on a $12.2 million contract that is set to expire.

It's not clear if Brooklyn would want to include Joe Harris' $19.9 million salary in the Nets' contract for the next two decades. The Pacers have Buddy Hield, a former client of Rob Pelinka, at $18.6-23.3 million for next season. The expectation is that Turner will extend or re-sign beyond his current $17.5-20 million salary for 2022-23.

It's not clear if the Lakers would be willing to take on players who are under contract beyond 25 years old.

There is a person named "Bronny."

James might pick up his player option in 25 years if his son is drafted.

The Lakers owe the New Orleans Pelicans a first-round pick that year. They will not have their second-round pick.

Should he decide to declare, L.A. has a higher second-round pick than the Wizards and Grizzles.

Finding a way to get Bronny in the draft might be the key to keeping James.

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