By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Keeping in mind the possibility of playing alongside his son Bronny James, LeBron James met with the Los Angeles Lakers on the topic of a contract extension.
Early talks were productive, as reported by Dave McMenamin of ESPN. The NBA superstar became eligible for a contract extension Thursday. His current contract lasts through the 2022-23 season. According to NBA rules, the veteran contract extension can’t add more than two years to the active contract.
James, 37, can ink a two-year, $97.1MM extension and commit through the 2024-25 NBA season. But he may prefer signing a two-year contract with a player option for the second season. This path would allow him to move to the team potentially drafting his 17-year-old son, who is dealing with decisions of his own.
Bronny will be eligible to be selected in the 2024 NBA draft. The high-school player will be considering options including Australia’s NBL, per Joe Vardon of The Athletic. The traditional path leading to the NCAA or the recently-introduced choice of the G League Ignite will be other options surfacing in 2023.
Back in 2003, LeBron had decided to skip NCAA altogether and jump directly into the NBA following high school. The one-and-done rule implemented in 2008 prevented more similar decisions prompting the young draft candidates to play at least one year in college before becoming draft-eligible and transitioning to the NBA.
Now heading to the 20th NBA season of his career, aiding the Lakers bounce back in style after missing the 2022 Playoffs will be the task at hand.
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