Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James will undoubtedly be one of the most sought-after players in the open market if he opts out of his 2024-25 player option with the team and enters free agency.
However, none of the 30 teams in the league can offer James a specific type of contract typically given to elite players.
Due to the NBA rules limiting contract lengths to a maximum of three years for players over the age of 38, James can only sign such a deal with any team rather than the longer-term contracts usually offered to players of his caliber.
Despite being the league's oldest active player at 39, the four-time NBA champion continues to be recognized as one of its elite talents.
The maximum deal the Lakers and other teams can offer the NBA's all-time leading scorer is a three-year contract worth around $160 million, a proposal they are prepared to extend.
LeBron James' options this summer
James could alternatively opt into his 2024-25 player option with the Lakers, valued at $51.4 million, and then become eligible to sign an additional two-year extension worth approximately $110 million in August.
This scenario is the same as signing the maximum three-year deal in terms of length and total value over time.
However, James would forego the leverage he would gain from potentially negotiating with other teams in free agency.
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