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The Los Angeles Lakers continue to be committed to re-signing LeBron James this offseason and are prepared to offer him the maximum three-year, $160 million he is eligible to sign if he opts out, sources tell ESPN's Dave McMenamin.

James could also opt in to his contract for the 24-25 season at $51.4 million and then sign an extension in late August that would pay him $162 million over three seasons. James would make $2 million more under that scenario, but he would not be eligible to add a no-trade clause the way he would if he opts for free agency. 

James appeared in 71 games last season, averaging 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and 8.3 assists and was an All-NBA Third Team selection for the third consecutive season. 

James is represented by Rich Paul. 

Via Dave McMenamin/ESPN

I would hope so.

Lakers will be entertaining to watch if he signs..not on the court obviously. It's a total gong show out there. They hired JJ as a coach LMAO

I'm not a LeBron hater and he's certainly worth the money (unless there's a sharp decline next season), but how can you put together a contending team with 90 mil of cap space being used by AD and him.

Wildcat wrote:I'm not a LeBron hater and he's certainly worth the money (unless there's a sharp decline next season), but how can you put together a contending team with 90 mil of cap space being used by AD and him.

Absolutely. This is taking on a Kobe Bryant at the end of his career type of continuity with the Lakers. They are sacrificing their present and future success in order to keep a declining legend happy.

I fully acknowledge that Lebron is one of the best players in NBA history, but $53m a year when he's turning 40 next season? I hope the guy slays father time, but this could really backfire on the Lakers if he gets hurt or ability declines as he gets older. He is a guy that defies odds at times, so you never know.

Skipwhethers wrote:

Wildcat wrote:I'm not a LeBron hater and he's certainly worth the money (unless there's a sharp decline next season), but how can you put together a contending team with 90 mil of cap space being used by AD and him.

Absolutely. This is taking on a Kobe Bryant at the end of his career type of continuity with the Lakers. They are sacrificing their present and future success in order to keep a declining legend happy.

Barcs wrote:I fully acknowledge that Lebron is one of the best players in NBA history, but $53m a year when he's turning 40 next season? I hope the guy slays father time, but this could really backfire on the Lakers if he gets hurt or ability declines as he gets older. He is a guy that defies odds at times, so you never know.

They aren't winning rings with him... and they certainly aren't winning rings without him. But he's their meal ticket; his contract more than pays for itself.

The alternative is to not pay Lebron and let him walk to the contender of his choice. How would LAL fans feel watching him win elsewhere? It would be like watching Shaq win in MIA all over again.

Pickled Prunes wrote:

Skipwhethers wrote:

Wildcat wrote:I'm not a LeBron hater and he's certainly worth the money (unless there's a sharp decline next season), but how can you put together a contending team with 90 mil of cap space being used by AD and him.

Absolutely. This is taking on a Kobe Bryant at the end of his career type of continuity with the Lakers. They are sacrificing their present and future success in order to keep a declining legend happy.

Barcs wrote:I fully acknowledge that Lebron is one of the best players in NBA history, but $53m a year when he's turning 40 next season? I hope the guy slays father time, but this could really backfire on the Lakers if he gets hurt or ability declines as he gets older. He is a guy that defies odds at times, so you never know.

They aren't winning rings with him... and they certainly aren't winning rings without him. But he's their meal ticket; his contract more than pays for itself.

The alternative is to not pay Lebron and let him walk to the contender of his choice. How would LAL fans feel watching him win elsewhere? It would be like watching Shaq win in MIA all over again.

I don't know how Laker fandom is, so I'm not sure how things are dissected between casual fans and die-hard fans, but my impress is that much die-hard fans can't stand this guy. Not sure where the causals fall, but I assume it's opposite, which aligns with the meal ticket approach.

Wildcat wrote:

Pickled Prunes wrote:

Skipwhethers wrote:Absolutely. This is taking on a Kobe Bryant at the end of his career type of continuity with the Lakers. They are sacrificing their present and future success in order to keep a declining legend happy.

Barcs wrote:I fully acknowledge that Lebron is one of the best players in NBA history, but $53m a year when he's turning 40 next season? I hope the guy slays father time, but this could really backfire on the Lakers if he gets hurt or ability declines as he gets older. He is a guy that defies odds at times, so you never know.

They aren't winning rings with him... and they certainly aren't winning rings without him. But he's their meal ticket; his contract more than pays for itself.

The alternative is to not pay Lebron and let him walk to the contender of his choice. How would LAL fans feel watching him win elsewhere? It would be like watching Shaq win in MIA all over again.

I don't know how Laker fandom is, so I'm not sure how things are dissected between casual fans and die-hard fans, but my impress is that much die-hard fans can't stand this guy. Not sure where the causals fall, but I assume it's opposite, which aligns with the meal ticket approach.

I hear you. I grew up in LA as a Lakers fan. My first in person NBA games were "Showtime" Lakers at the Forum. I jumped ship when Kobe and Shaq were whining at each other all the time; I couldn't take it anymore. Eagle, Colorado made sure I would never be back. I am sure many current Lakers fans feel the same about Lebron, but the masses follow blindly, celebrating that the biggest name in sports is a Laker. I can't be mad at them for it.

He can easily continue to pad his individual records while leading the Lakers to a 7th seed and first round exit for at least three more years.

Skipwhethers wrote:

Wildcat wrote:I'm not a LeBron hater and he's certainly worth the money (unless there's a sharp decline next season), but how can you put together a contending team with 90 mil of cap space being used by AD and him.

Absolutely. This is taking on a Kobe Bryant at the end of his career type of continuity with the Lakers. They are sacrificing their present and future success in order to keep a declining legend happy.

This is not Kobe type issue.. Kobe at the end of his career was utter Rubbish Lebron this year was an all nba player in the playoffs AD and Lebron outplayed Murray and Jokic as a duo and were done in by the role players.. Lakers have 3 first rd picks to trade to upgrade their role players and give themselves a chance to win. Rui who is a bench player at best absolutely killed them in that series that was relatively close. Maybe the final year of this contract would look bad but I dont think it will ever be Kobe bad.