Team Note: James is expected to jump out of the player option and re-sign 1+1 with the Lakers to approach the maximum salary contract

June 14, what choice will 40-year-old James make this summer? According to ClutchPoints Lakers reporter Anthony Irwin, James is expected to jump out of the player option and sign another 1+1 two-year contract with the Lakers with a maximum salary, including a trade veto, and the second year is still a player option.

James signed a 1+1 two-year $101 million contract with the Lakers in the summer of 2024, and he currently has a yearly player choice of $52.6 million. According to previous reports from ESPN reporter Shams, James is likely to implement the player option and return to the Lakers.

However, according to ClutchPoints Lakers reporter Anthony Irwin, James' choice may not be the execution player option. According to some sources close to the Lakers, James is expected to jump out of the player option for the remaining year.

As for James' next choice, he is likely to continue to sign a two-year contract with the Lakers with a maximum salary of 1+1. The second year is still the player option and includes the trade veto. James will continue to take the initiative in his own hands.

It is worth mentioning that even if James chooses to jump out of the player option, the Lakers will not negotiate and bargain with James on the contract size. The Lakers will undoubtedly give James the decent that he deserves, not only to give back to James' outstanding contributions he has played for the Lakers over the years, but also to match his identity as the league's appearance so far in his career.