Well, it’s another day and LeBron has made headlines. These days come about as often as I get a telemarketing call, right? At any rate, today LeBron signed a two-year contract extension with the Lakers, worth $85-million. Let’s get the full scope of the situation of LeBron’s contract. He is currently makes about $39.22-million per year, and is 35-years-old. The other key superstar of the Lakers, Anthony Davis, has just signed a five-year, $190-million max extension. Let’s review the pros and cons of the extravagant business decision regarding LeBron’s contract.
Love it – Emir’s Take
The GOAT has decided to return! This is great for the Lakers. There will be some people that say “he’s getting old”. Well yes, that is true; but, his style of play is not. He brought the Lakers a championship. He brought a title to one of the two most-storied franchises, not just in basketball, but in sports. That counts for something! Scratch that, it counts for A LOT. LeBron James spends nearly two-million a year on his body. He takes care of himself. He believes that he can maintain this level of play for another couple of years. Aaron Rodgers, one of the best QB’s in NFL history, just admitted he doesn’t even spend half that on his body; so LeBron is making the Tom Brady investment.
“Yeah I don’t spend a million on my body every year… I don’t spend anywhere close to that to be honest”@AaronRodgers12 on taking care of his body in season & in the offseason #PatMcAfeeShowLIVE pic.twitter.com/5X12ccBLXC
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) December 1, 2020
Let’s break this down. LeBron feels confident in the organization or else he wouldn’t have signed. He also has Anthony Davis staying with him in LA. Who is going to beat this team? The only way the Lakers topple from the top is if they face injury, or if “Greek Freak” decides to pull a Kevin Durant and go to Golden State. This also shows that the Lakers are not going for a big 3. Someone will try to do that JUST TO BEAT THE LEBRON. It’s not anything new but still. That just shows you his dominance. Kevin Durant went across the country just to avoid him.
As I said. LeBron’s style of play has not changed. It just doesn’t make sense that a guy in his 17th season, with all those minutes on his legs, is still at his level. He can and probably will LEAD THE NBA in assists. That is unheard of. DO NOT EVER COUNT OUT GOAT JAMES. The only reason he didn’t get more money was because of his age. LeBron James has not shown any signs of slowing down. DO NOT GET MAD if he takes time off early in the season because the Lakers get the shortest amount of time off, while some teams had at least 8 months off.
New for @ForbesSports: Teams that made the deepest playoff runs in 19-20, #Lakers, #Heat, #Celtics, #Nuggets, could struggle early next #NBA season if it starts in December with such a short offseason. https://t.co/iMkbwFeIS9 #NBATwitter #Lakeshow #LakerNation #HeatTwitter
— Shlomo Sprung (@SprungOnSports) October 25, 2020
LeBron is smart enough to know when it’s time to walk away from the game. Without LeBron James, the Lakers don’t have a title and Anthony Davis is elsewhere. Let’s also remember the other bad contracts that are out there. Andrew Wiggins, John Wall, Gary Harris, DRAYMOND GREEN, BLAKE GRIFFIN, ERIC GORDON, TOBIAS HARRIS. Some names are in all caps because these are, real bad. To put it in perspective, at the end of LeBron’s contract in 2023, Tobias Harris will make 5 MILLION LESS than LeBron. Not in any universe should that happen.
Hate it – Shannon’s Take
LeBron, LeBron, LeBron. Look, I’m going to face heat for criticizing the “GOAT” to start with, but here I go. He’s good at basketball. Not a SINGLE person in the world can deny that he is a good basketball player, and he has put in immense effort to get to where he is. But you absolutely cannot overlook some of the negative influence he has put forth onto the league either. The guy has his own HBO show in which he boasts about when he became the best player in the world, why he is the best player in the league, etc. How would you feel if you are playing basketball, and your team captain went off on how they’re the best. It makes for NEGATIVE team dynamics. Professional sports are still a team sport.
This is gross. LeBron built a school in his hometown for the underprivileged students there, fantastic. In my opinion, players are making that much money, they should all be doing charity work. Him building a school is irrelevant to that fact that he whines on the court, he is cocky, and he is hot headed. Coming out from the Lakers Finals win and saying he wants his respect? What the hell respect isn’t he getting; the entire NBA media market is on their knees for him (besides me).
NBA Media Analysts, hell even NFL, obsessively fanboying a single player [Nick Wright/LeBron] is incredibly ridiculous and absurd that these people have a platform. They are so bias to the point that they already have their minds made up. Zero substance. Nick Wright sucks.
— Brian (@BriansColdTakes) October 18, 2020
Now, in terms of LeBron’s contract. THE GUY IS 35-YEARS-OLD. The literal only thing that makes sense about this contract is that it’s only a two-year extension. Otherwise, I’m baffled. Why is he getting a RAISE when he is already past prime age in the NBA? I get that he is still leading the league in a variety of stats, fine. But, this is the exact same statistic analysts have debated with Tom Brady and countless other greats in MANY sports as they played into older ages. When will they start to decline? The approach here is not to pay them more, its to gradually pay them less on shorter contracts.
LeBron is a recruiting piece; all the Lakers needed to do was keep him in LA to build a future, which wasn’t a difficult sell. Because he’s old, he’s not about to go jump ship for another championship (he’s played that card one too many times). And NOW, they’ve just signed AD to a massive contract! They’re out of money, and they are in a Patriots situation; if they want to stay stacked, players are going to have to take pay cuts to play with the greats. Are they going to be able to do that if LeBron starts to decline? Nope.
What’s The Verdict?
What do you think? Are the Lakers still in a win-now mode? Have they build themselves to be unstoppable in the West, or have they gambled their cap for a potentially dangerous fall from grace? It’s too soon to say, and it’s impossible to ignore that their shortened offseason will have an effect on their early season results. Let us know what you think as we truck into the December 22 start.
What do you think? Will LeBron’s contract extension bring another Championship to Los Angeles? Let us know at @sykes.cooper and @swalshy63. Don’t forget to check out our other content at Belly Up Sports!
