LeBron James

LeBron James can officially sign an extension with the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday. As usual, he holds all the cards.

A renewed commitment from James could give the Lakers the means to at least try and build a contender properly. But James' history with the Cleveland Cavaliers suggests he may prefer to take things one year at a time.

Most immediately, James' decision will impact how willing Los Angeles may be to make a Russell Westbrook trade. With long-term assurances from James, it's easier to give up future draft picks (perhaps in 2027 and/or 2029) or take on unwanted salary back in a Westbrook deal.

Without a long-term commitment, the Lakers would appear to be stuck with the current roster, left to significantly outperform expectations. FanDuel currently gives the Lakers the ninth-best title odds.

---

What if James Leaves?

If James decides to move on after this season, the franchise could have massive spending power heading into the 2023 offseason.

The Lakers could have nearly $77 million in cap space to chase a James replacement if the roster is pared down to just Anthony Davis and Max Christie. That potential flexibility is why the Lakers have hesitated to trade Westbrook for a significant multi-year salary coming back in return.

The exact cap space figure would depend on Talen Horton-Tucker and Damian Jones, who both have player options. Additionally, the NBA and National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) may hammer out a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) ahead of the next season that could impact the salary cap.

---

The Extension Options

James can extend for up to two additional seasons at about $97.1 million, starting at approximately $47 million. That would take him through the 2024-25 season, which lines up with the end of Davis' current deal.

That commitment would give the Lakers the clarity to take on the salary or give up the draft considerations in the name of "winning now."

Instead, James may be more likely to take a one-plus-one extension, allowing him to opt out after the 2023-24 season. This may be the most likely decision, giving L.A. a sense of its future, but ultimately limits the front office's confidence in future investments surrounding James.

Assuming James gets a player option in a one-plus-one extension, that would ultimately be the equivalent to a single-year extension. It wouldn't give the team long-term security, but at least it would have a clear picture of its spending power in the summer of 2023.

If James is open to staying for less than a maximum salary, he is more likely to wait for free agency to see precisely how the team will benefit.

---

What if James Doesn't Extend, Re-Signs in 2023?

James may choose to retain leverage on how the Lakers use its resources. That's how James approached his second stint in Cleveland.

He could understandably wait for free agency to see if a new CBA raises his earning potential.

But keeping Los Angeles in limbo may be counterproductive.

If James chooses to re-sign in 2023 on a one-year deal, the Lakers would be in an even more helpless position, given that Davis can also opt out and depart in 2024. Uncertainty with one star is a problem. Uncertainty with two stars is a nightmare.

James can also sign for three years for roughly $151 million, starting at about $47 million. The Lakers could still reach about $31.5 million in cap space with James back at the max (less with Horton-Tucker, Jones and any potential keepers like Austin Reaves). That might be enough cap space to chase a free agent like Kyrie Irving instead of trading for him this offseason.

Another (albeit unlikely) path could be James signing for as low as $3.1 million on a one-year minimum deal in 2023.

That's a more extreme version of what James Harden appears to be doing in Philadelphia with the 76ers—taking less for a year to re-sign for more the following summer. But the Sixers are under investigation for potentially circumventing the rules with Harden—how that situation is resolved may determine how the Lakers proceed with James.

The Lakers would have up to $76 million to spend with James if he signs at the minimum, with the rights to re-sign him at the max the following season.

However, a more reasonable path would be a short-term pay cut that's enough to enable the Lakers to add a significant piece or two. That also assumes Los Angeles and James are on the same page, have mutual trust and the NBA doesn't try to intervene.

---

Ultimately...

A one-plus-one extension seems the most reasonable path forward, giving James two years of security, with the ability to leave sooner—and perhaps to join the team that drafts his son Bronny James, if not the Lakers.

---

Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter, @EricPincus.

The James family is back in the gym.

LeBron James shared video of a workout he did with his sons, Bronny and Bryce, at the Los Angeles Lakers facility:

Bron, Bronny and Bryce putting in work at the Lakers facility 🔥

(via @KingJames) https://t.co/s6ItVBMB6F

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 2, 2022

This may be far from the last time fans see LeBron and Bronny at an NBA facility together. After all, the all-time great has been open about his desire to play on the same NBA team as his son one day.

"My last year will be played with my son," James said during the All-Star break in February, per Jason Lloyd of The Athletic. "Wherever Bronny is at, that's where I'll be. I would do whatever it takes to play with my son for one year. It's not about the money at that point."

Bronny's senior season at Sierra Canyon begins this fall, and he will be eligible for the 2024 NBA draft.

His father's current contract with the Lakers expires after the 2022-23 season, so the James family reunion could very well happen down the line.

The Cleveland Cavaliers might have the cap space to sign LeBron James in 2023, but that's not currently in the team's plans, according to Joe Vardon of The Athletic.

"The Cavs are not proceeding with the intention of getting LeBron for a third time," Vardon wrote.

James, a native of nearby Akron, Ohio, was drafted by the Cavaliers and spent his first seven years with the team. After leaving for the Miami Heat, he returned to Cleveland four years later and helped bring home an NBA title in 2016.

The 37-year-old is heading into his fifth season with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2022-23, but he can become a free agent next summer and previously indicated a return to Cleveland is possible.

"The door’s not closed on that," James told Jason Lloyd of The Athletic in February. "I'm not saying I'm coming back and playing, I don't know. I don't know what my future holds. I don't even know when I'm free."

When LeBron returned to Cleveland in 2014, the squad hadn't made the playoffs in four years but had exciting young players, most notably Kyrie Irving. The team has once again gone four years without a postseason appearance going into 2022-23, but Darius Garland, Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley represent an elite young core.

Adding James in 2023-24 could once again turn the team into a legitimate contender.

As Vardon noted, the Cavaliers also own their 2024 first-round pick, which could be used on James' oldest son, Bronny James. LeBron has said he wants to play alongside his son, but the Lakers don't have a first-round pick when Bronny is eligible in 2024.

Despite these connections, the Cavs seemingly aren't planning for LeBron's return and will instead build around the players already on the roster.

Vardon reported the superstar is eligible to sign a two-year extension with the Lakers on Thursday worth about $98 million.

The first-look trailer for the upcoming NBA 2K23 video game was released Friday on NBA 2K's official YouTube channel.

In the video, several superstar players are featured prominently, including the cover athletes in Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker and WNBA stars Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxLS5Tgo9YM

Also seen in the trailer are in-game highlights featuring LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic, Stephen Curry, Jayson Tatum and Zion Williamson, among others.

Perhaps the most notable aspect of the trailer is the inclusion of the popular hip-hop dance crew Jabbawockeez, who appear to be part of the video game as entertainment either at halftime or in between whistles.

The NBA 2K series debuted in late 1999 with NBA 2K on the Dreamcast, and since then it has blossomed into the preeminent basketball video game franchise.

Over the years, the franchise has made some significant strides in all aspects, including the addition of WNBA teams beginning in NBA 2K20.

NBA 2K23 is scheduled to be released on Sept. 9 with availability across multiple platforms, including PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch and Windows PC.

Aside from the standard and WNBA editions of the game with alternate covers featuring Booker, as well as Bird and Taurasi, the Michael Jordan edition and championship edition will be emblazoned with the image of NBA legend Michael Jordan.

As noted at the end of the first trailer, NBA 2K23 is available for pre-order now.

It appears there's only one way LeBron James will leave the Los Angeles Lakers any time soon: to team up with his son Bronny.

"The prevailing thinking in league circles holds that only the chance to play elsewhere alongside son Bronny James, who will be eligible for the 2024 draft and continues to develop as an NBA prospect, would spur LeBron to push for an L.A. exit," NBA insider Marc Stein wrote in his latest "This Week in Basketball" column.

James is set to enter the final year of his contract, and there have been rumors about his wanting to play elsewhere.

It's unclear what kind of deal James will seek. If he signs a one-year contract, he would become a free agent when Bronny is eligible to get drafted.

It wouldn't be surprising if James left the Lakers. Since he joined the franchise in 2018, the Purple and Gold have won one NBA title, posted one first-round playoff exit and missed the postseason twice.

The Athletic's Jovan Buha (h/t Orlando Silva of Fadeaway World) speculated earlier this month on The Athletic NBA Show that James could leave L.A. if the Lakers have another disappointing season in 2022-23:

"I'm gonna say [it won't be James' last season with L.A.], but I think it really depends on Russ and the season that they have. ... I think if they stand pat and basically punt on the season ... I could see him potentially leaving next offseason, but my expectation is they're gonna flip Russ at some point. And assuming they get Kyrie [Irving] or Buddy Hield or a decent package back for him, I think that's probably enough to satisfy LeBron and keep him in L.A."

James has long said he wanted to play at least one NBA season with his son Bronny. He told The Athletic's Jason Lloyd in February that he will play one year with his son.

"My last year will be played with my son," LeBron said. "Wherever Bronny is at, that's where I'll be. I would do whatever it takes to play with my son for one year. It's not about the money at that point."

Whether that comes in 2024 or later, James likely won't be a Laker by the time his career ends.

LeBron James is taking his talents to NASCAR...sort of.

The LeBron James Family Foundation and the I Promise school and program will be featured on the paint scheme of Chris Buescher's No. 17 Ford Mustang as part of a partnership with Roush Fenway Keselowski (RFK) Racing. Per Molly Walsh of the Akron Beacon Journal, the car will debut at the Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway on Aug. 7.

Pretty cool to have the @LJFamFoundation on my ride for Michigan.

The car looks fantastic! 😁 pic.twitter.com/UvOpr9XFja

— Chris Buescher (@Chris_Buescher) July 28, 2022

"To see our foundation represented alongside one of the most iconic racing teams in NASCAR shows our kids from Akron that anything is possible and nothing is out of reach for them," said Michele Campbell, who is executive director of the LeBron James Family Foundation.

According to Walsh, the I Promise program "serves more than 1,600 Akron students and their families with fundamental resources, wraparound supports and family programming with the goal of encouraging success in academics and beyond."

In addition to the "I Promise" phrase, the paint scheme will also include "est. Akron" as a nod to James' hometown and the foundation's guiding philosophy "We Are Family" on the rear of the car.

Chicago Bulls forward DeMar DeRozan went on The Draymond Green Show and discussed his recent experience playing in the Drew League with Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James.

"Just to see the kids out there being able to see LeBron James come play in Compton. You cannot beat that," DeRozan told Warriors forward Draymond Green, per Caitlyn Holroyd of The Score.

"The atmosphere was one of a kind; it was special. I was honored to be a part of it, and I gotta give credit to Bron. You're talking about a guy that's the GOAT in our league, going into his 20th season, going out there playing. What we grew up watching. It was an amazing feeling. I had a great time just being out there, playing with him, obviously.

"There was a couple moments where I just looked around, and you see kids, just the smile and the excitement on their face. That's something that they're gonna remember forever. And that's what it's all about."

The Drew League is the most prestigious pro-am basketball league in the world. Founded in 1973, the summer competition takes place at King Drew Magnet High School in Los Angeles.

Participants over time include James, DeRozan, Kobe Bryant, James Harden, Chris Paul and Kevin Durant, among others, per Nick Metallinos of Sporting News.

James hit up DeRozan, who had already played a few Drew League games this year, about taking part in a matchup. One thing led to another, and soon afterward, James was playing in an electric atmosphere filled with people watching one of the game's all-time greats perform in a high school gym.

"I been playing in it, and to wake up and see that line around the Drew League, stretched around the corner, it just took it back to that old-school, early-2000s feel, like you said, being in the high school gym," DeRozan said, per Corey Hansford of Lakers Nation.

James and DeRozan ended up playing together for the MMV Cheaters on July 16, and they led the team to a 104-102 win over Black Pearl Elite.

James dropped 42 points along with 16 rebounds, while DeRozan scored 30 points with 14 boards.

The two nearly played together in actual NBA games last season, but the Lakers ultimately went with Russell Westbrook over DeRozan, who ended up signing with the Chicago Bulls and having an MVP-caliber season for a while.

The hunt for a LeBron James Panini Flawless Triple Logoman card created a chase that seemingly only rivaled Willy Wonka.

Instead of searching for a golden ticket, collectors were seeking the one-of-one card that featured an embedded NBA logo cut from three different game-used James jerseys—one from each of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers.

It's here! The Modern Card Grail is at Goldin. pic.twitter.com/cIpO1Wd2uI

— Goldin (@GoldinCo) June 6, 2022

ESPN's Dan Hajducky and Tom VanHaaren detailed the chase for the exclusive card, which featured bounties for card breakers who found it in a box opening. Drake offered $200,000 to find the card, while others had bounties as high as $550,000.

WhatNot, a trading card marketplace, offered a Lamborghini to the person who unearthed the card.

Cases that could theoretically hold the card became extremely valuable.

"Before Drake entered, cases were about $20,000 each," collector Matt Allen told ESPN. "But when he came in, it just blew up and went crazy. It pushed Flawless cases past $40,000 each."

The card was eventually found and sold at Goldin Auctions for $2.4 million last month.

The 2022 NBA trade deadline, NBA draft and heart of free agency have all come and gone, and the Lakers still have no resolution on their Russell Westbrook problem.

There are no easy solutions, and many uneasy questions.

Should the Lakers do whatever it takes to trade him? Can they open the 2022-23 season with Westbrook in their starting lineup? How about off the bench? Or should they give him the "John Wall treatment" like last year's Houston Rockets, who paid Wall a maximum salary to sit out the season?

These questions were sent far and wide to a variety of NBA figures, from executives to agents to fellow colleagues in the media. The diversity in answers only emphasizes the quandary the Lakers face moving forward.

Trade Westbrook? At What Cost, and for Whom?

Ahead of February's trade deadline, the Lakers were looking to find Westbrook a new home. So far, they haven't found a viable solution.

L.A. has talked to teams like the Brooklyn Nets about Kyrie Irving and the Indiana Pacers for a combination of Myles Turner and Buddy Hield. As things currently stand, there's no deal to be had, though there's still plenty of time for that to change before the start of the season.

"First, I'd swing for the fences in a trade," an NBA media analyst said. "The ones I've heard for Kyrie with a shooter or Turner and Buddy seem unrealistic, but they should go for it. I'd do as many picks as needed to make a deal happen, as long as they have top-10 protection."

Should the Lakers really be giving out unprotected or lightly protected first-round picks in 2027 and 2029, years after the contracts of LeBron James and Anthony Davis expire? Is Irving—the most talented of the names mentioned—reliable enough for L.A. to rely on?

"The Lakers are pot-committed," the analyst continued, referencing a poker situation where a player lacks leverage after making aggressive early bets. "I'd do those two picks for Buddy and Turner. I like that more than Kyrie. That dude flat-out frightens me. But I'd take him over the pie-in-the-sky-let-Russ-cook option."

An NBA insider had a different (and broader) take on Irving and the Nets.

"Kyrie is the move. They should offer Davis with Westbrook. Try and get Kevin Durant. KD for AD and a pick is as close as [the Nets] will get to what they want."

That may or may not be true considering that Davis hasn't been consistently healthy, and the Boston Celtics might be able to trump a Lakers offer with Jaylen Brown as a centerpiece. An Indiana package may offer more depth, but is it enough?

"What do Buddy and Turner do for the Lakers? Add a 5 percent chance the team wins a title?" an NBA executive said. "That's probably worth one protected first, but certainly not two."

"Maybe if they could combine the Nets and Pacers into one trade, bring back Kyrie, Turner and Buddy, that'd be worth giving up a couple of firsts," the executive continued. "Even if that saved the Nets a ton of money and Indiana got two firsts out of it, do they agree to work together to help LeBron and the Lakers contend?"

Meanwhile, an NBA agent suggested the Lakers should be patient in trading Westbrook.

"He'll become easier to trade closer to the deadline [with the Lakers responsible for more than half of his 2022-23 salary]. That's a lot less money for an owner to spend on," the agent said. "Teams are more realistic on where they stand at that point. Other players become unhappy. Some may become available that [simply] aren't right now."

An NBA source also took a relatively conservative approach.

"I'd be willing to trade him for multiple role players and put one of the picks on the table," the source said. "If you want both picks, it has to be for something more exciting than just a couple of rotation guys who probably don't move the needle for title contention. What about [the Utah Jazz] for Mike Conley and Bojan [Bogdanovic]? Send Westbrook and one of the picks. They're useful and potentially cheaper to get because of slightly negative-value contracts."

Start, Bench or 'John Wall' Westbrook?

Once again, opinions were varied.

"If they come up with nothing in trade, they need to shoot for the moon by trying to have success with Russ," the NBA media analyst said. "It's not like they have young guys that need experience that he's blocking."

"Russ off the bench, maybe in a perfect world, but with pride and ego and role—I don't know if that really helps much, either," the analyst continued. "Try to sell LeBron on playing the Miami Heat role of off-ball finisher when he was shooting like 60 percent from the field. Start Russ and let him do Russ things with LeBron and AD playing off of him for the first 18 minutes of each half. Crunch time, Russ sits, and LeBron runs the show."

The agent had the opposite take.

"They're better without Russ, and he won't come off the bench. Good luck with that. He's going to b---h and moan. He thinks he's the Russ of old," the agent said. "'John Wall' him and take time... to know what they need before jumping in. The team can't lose this trade, and everyone knows it. Trading just to trade is an awful mentality."

The league source doesn't buy it.

"I wouldn't John Wall him. The Lakers care about titles. This team without Westbrook is going nowhere unless things got so bad that he was actively undermining stuff," the league source said. "Stagger him and LeBron as much as possible. If he's washed, then that's a different issue. But part of the problem is that a tentative Westbrook is like the worst player ever. You have to figure out some way to empower him without indulging his worst habits."

If the Lakers cannot move Westbrook before the season, they might be best off starting him. It's worth seeing what head coach Darvin Ham can do with the roster as constructed.

If Westbrook becomes a problem during the season, the Lakers could send him away until the trade deadline or cut him loose afterward if they don't find a deal.

The various takes would have fallen in line if the path were obvious. It isn't. But this is where the Lakers stand with two months to go before training camp opens in late September.

Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter, @EricPincus.