The NBA offseason continues, getting closer and closer to the opening of the free market, the operation and adjustment of each team has been further accelerated, and the Lakers have finally ushered in the time when James makes a choice, and the Clippers have also been officially determined. In just one night, James may take a pay cut, the boat is resolute, George is official, and the magic is brewing a big move.
The Lakers have made adjustments to the draft phase, including the selection of Bronny and the use of two-way contracts to supplement the roster. This will be followed by James' player options and the addition of the team's roster. Four-time NBA champion and Lakers star James has dropped a player option worth about $51.4 million next season, according to Shams sources. James will sign a brand new contract with the Lakers, and there are no other contingencies in this matter, that is, it depends on what kind of contract James and the Lakers will sign. James played in 71 regular season games for the Lakers last season, averaging 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 8.3 assists and 1.3 steals in 35.3 minutes per game, shooting 54.0% from the field, 41.0% from three-point range and 75.0% from the free throw line.
Chris Haynes of The Athletic spoke about James jumping out of his contract, and league sources revealed that James chose to jump out of contract and is seeking to re-sign with the Lakers, and is considering opening a path for the team to recruit suitable targets to provide full mid-range characteristics. That said, James is looking for a pay cut to stay with the team. If the full mid-range salary space created by James through a pay cut in his new contract can't get the Lakers to sign an impactful player, James will seek a max contract. According to previous reports, the Lakers are willing to offer James any contract he wants, including giving him a trade veto, and the Lakers can offer James up to a three-year contract extension with a maximum salary of 162 million.
The other two teams that are getting a lot of attention are the Warriors and the Clippers because they involve two important players, one is George and the other is Klay. It's just that the attitude of both sides is very resolute at present, and it was revealed that the Warriors are not discussing an offer with Klay at present; The Clippers are also very determined, only willing to offer George a three-year 149 million contract, which also leads to the possibility of the two leaving the team is gradually increasing.
Shams reports that league sources have revealed that the Warriors are ready to lose Klay. The Clippers, Lakers, and Mavericks are expected to be strong suitors for Klay, and multiple teams with salary space have expressed interest in Klay, and the Warriors are willing to make a switch trade with Klay to boost his potential income. George, for his part, has also officially decided to refuse to exercise his $48.7 million player option to enter free agency. He will next meet with teams including the Clippers and other teams with cap salary caps. According to Haynes, the 76ers are expected to aggressively pursue Paul George.
There is also a team that is quietly adjusting the lineup and making space, brewing big moves. The Magic declined to exercise Ingles' $11 million player option, and according to salary expert Bobby Marks, the Magic's current salary space has reached $44 million. If the Magic chooses to clear salary space further and refuses to exercise Moritz Wagner's team option (worth $8 million), the Magic will free up more than $50 million in salary space. Therefore, theoretically, the Magic also chose to clear Isaac's contract and continue to improve their salary space in the summer. And on the other hand, the team option of 8 million for Big Wagner is not implemented, and the two sides are interested in signing a new contract. Which actors do you think Magic Summer will do with their own salaries?
A few points that have attracted much attention, will the Lakers have a big recruitment operation, and will James sign a contract for a few years? Will Clay and George end up leaving or staying? Will you get the contract you want?