LeBron James – who pioneered signing short contracts in order gain power – is signing a two-year extension that locks him into the Lakers a season before necessary.
Why the change in approach?
Does it have anything to do with Anthony Davis, who is mulling how to structure his own max contract with the Lakers?
Just how conservative is LeBron being? The extension apparently doesn’t even contain a player option.
LeBron is declining his player option for 2021-22 in conjunction with this extension, according to Bobby Marks of ESPN. That accomplishes two things:
1. LeBron increases his 2021-22 salary from $41,002,274 to – at minimum and most likely – $41,180,544. It could even rise as high as $42,018,900 if the salary cap lands higher than expected.
2. LeBron gets an 8% raise from his 2021-22 salary to his 2022-23 salary. If he opted in with this extension, that would have likely been a 5% raise (though could have been higher if the salary cap lands higher than expected).
However, by declining his player option, LeBron can’t get a new one in his extension. When an option is declined, the extension must add at least two seasons, not including option years. (The over-38 rule prevents LeBron from signing a max 2+1 extension.)
So, LeBron gets more money but loses flexibility. That makes sense for someone so deep into his career.
LeBron often seems superhuman. But he is 35 with heavy mileage and is just one season removed from major injury issues. Though LeBron ironically called himself #WashedKing, he truly is aging.
That said, LeBron remains elite. He just led the Lakers to a championship. His new approach is great for the Lakers, who secure his services even longer.