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5 offseason moves the Los Angeles Lakers need to make

By Holden Walter-Warner

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 16: Russell Westbrook #0, LeBron James #6 and Talen Horton-Tucker #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers check on teammate Anthony Davis #3 after an injury in the second quarter against the Utah Jazz at Crypto.com Arena on February 16, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 16: Russell Westbrook #0, LeBron James #6 and Talen Horton-Tucker #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers check on teammate Anthony Davis #3 after an injury in the second quarter against the Utah Jazz at Crypto.com Arena on February 16, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 01: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts in the closing seconds of the game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Crypto.com Arena on April 1, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. The Pelicans won 114-111. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

5 offseason moves the Los Angeles Lakers need to make: 3. Convince LeBron to sign an extension

Father Time will eventually temper the legend that is LeBron James. Outside of some injury issues, however, it hasn’t happened yet and James remains one of the top five players in the league.

On August 4, James becomes eligible for a two-year, $97.1 million contract extension with the team. Should he accept such an extension, James would be locked in with the Lakers through the 2024-25 season.

Despite the financial restraints facing the Lakers, offering the extension seems like a certainty. This is a team that revolves around stars and has essentially invested its entire franchise into James. They’re committed to him, no matter the cost.

Tying James up to that extension will limit the team’s ability to be flexible in terms of spending for the next few years. Without him, however, Los Angeles will lack any direction whatsoever.

Besides, James has proven he can still be a superstar, despite his age. James averaged 30.3 points per game this season, the second-highest scoring output of his entire career. He continued to dominate in other facets of the game too, averaging 8.2 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game while averaging at least one steal and one block per contest.

It may be important for the Lakers to ink the extension as soon as possible. The longer James waits to sign it, should it be offered, the more leverage he’ll have, particularly if he doesn’t approve of the offseason moves the Lakers make. James has given no indication he wants to leave Los Angeles, but it’s imperative Los Angeles doesn’t risk his departure.

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