The Lakers are seriously considering trading James, but it is not ruled out that they sign first and then change the plan. Pelinka is waiting for James to reply

The latest report by Jowan Buha, a reporter from Los Angeles Times, LeBron James is a two-year contract whether he executes the player option or jumps out of the contract and signs a two-year contract again. As long as he continues to stay in the Lakers, it will become an obstacle to building a team around Luca Doncic. The Lakers' senior management has come to a time when they must seriously consider trading James, while Jenny Buss and Robert Pelinka are waiting for the decision of James' team.

Doncic has brought new team building plans to the Lakers to build a team that has long-term championship strength. Since Doncic joined the Lakers, his ranking has risen from eighth to third in the West, showing a happy side to the management. The lack of lineup depth and height and body shape advantages in the first round of the playoffs has prompted the Lakers to be sure to solve these two problems in the offseason. Robert Pelinka wants to successfully advance Doncic's plan to build a team, and the biggest obstacle to the front is James' contract. How to deal with James' stay or not directly determines whether the Lakers have the strength to compete for the championship next season. No matter what Pelinka and Doncic do, they cannot escape the James mountain.

"No one knows how long James wants to play. It may be two seasons, or the next season will be the last dance." Jowan Buha said, "What can be confirmed now is that James will not lower his salary. If James decides to retire after the next season, he will execute a $52.6 million contract. If James does not have the idea of ​​retirement, he will have a two-year maximum salary contract, with a total salary of about $100 million." James stayed in the Lakers with maximum salary. Even if Pelinka signed a starting center through trades and free agents, the Lakers will not have the opportunity to defeat the Thunder, Timberwolves, and Rockets next season. The Mavericks, Grizzlies and Nuggets are not inferior to the Lakers. James jumped out of his contract and cut his salary significantly. Renewing his contract with a salary of $30 million will be beneficial to both parties.

Jowan Buha believes that James wants to retire with the Lakers and have the opportunity to win the fifth championship trophy in his career, and salary cuts and contract renewals are a win-win option, and there is no sign that James will do so. "The Lakers management is waiting for James' decision. James' contract has banned transaction terms, and executing the player option is tantamount to pushing the Lakers into a corner. It is difficult for James to reach a satisfactory new contract with the Lakers after he jumped out of the contract. The new contract provided by the Lakers does not have a maximum salary, nor does it include a prohibited transaction terms." Jowan Buha said, "Before James finally makes a decision, he needs to reach an agreement with the Lakers' senior management to make what kind of compromises and concessions to each other."

James becomes a free agent and wants to get a maximum salary contract of $52.6 million, he can only accept the Lakers' first signing and then exchange, because only the Nets have enough salary space in the offseason. In fact, James insists on executing the player option, and Jenny Buss and Pelinka will seriously consider trading James. James's veto power on the deal may make the deal unstarted, and given James' historical status, it's hard to imagine he'll stick with the Lakers to play Doncic's deputy. James will control the whereabouts of his trade, and the Lakers will receive extremely limited returns. There is an adaptation problem between Doncic, James and Reeves. At this stage, these three ball-holders have problems with their outside defense. The show still focused on the defensive end, but was unable to defend at all night long during his 41-year-old season, especially in the high-intensity playoffs. "Trading James is likely to return at least one much-needed role player and a first-round draft pick. The Lakers can use these draft assets and Kneckett to fill the gaps and successfully introduce All-Star centers." Jowan Buha continued, "Losing James is heartbreaking, but James' form at 41 is declining rapidly. It is positive to get some rewards before James retires, because the Lakers are trying to win the championship with Doncic as the core lineup."

The Lakers always make star players start and end well, thus becoming a charming team, but as James' form further declines but is unwilling to compromise, threatening Doncic's career timeline and contract renewal negotiations, Lakers' senior management has to make rational decisions that are in the interests of the team. Continuing to let James be the second best player on the team, even if Doncic is in a very brave state in the playoffs, the Lakers' solution is likely to be eliminated in the first round. For James, he also faced a difficult choice, lowering his salary requirements and weakening his role in the Lakers, or leaving the Lakers with a maximum salary trade, he was in a hesitant stage.

‌"From the reality, when the Lakers traded James, it would make Lakers fans angry, just like the anger of local fans in Dallas after the Mavericks traded Doncic." Jowan Buha said, "When running a team is a business, Jenny Bass and Pelinka have to do things that are good for the Lakers. Since the Lakers unexpectedly got Doncic, they must maximize the opportunity. They will try to do this with James, but the ending will likely be bad."