The Los Angeles Lakers enter a crucial offseason. After falling short this season to the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, the Lakers will go back to the drawing board.
The Lakers will have a ton on their plate this summer, and at the forefront of that is LeBron James. James is set to enter free agency this summer, and his future in Los Angeles is uncertain.
There have been reports that the two sides do have a desire to reunite; however, the Lakers may need to go an extra mile for James. A source familiar with James told ESPN that the Lakers' approach in how they show their interest is far more important than any dollar sign amount.
"The Lakers can't just offer James a number. They have to offer a why behind that number," an agent who does not rep James but has had clients on L.A.'s roster during James' tenure, told ESPN. "Their plan for any discount would have to be coherent."
Another source close to James told ESPN, "I think it's up to the Lakers. He loves it in L.A."
Lakers’ direction could shape LeBron James' future
James has spent the last eight seasons in Tinseltown. He chose to come to Los Angeles in the summer of 2018 after the Lakers endured one of their worst stents in franchise history.
Both sides have gone through a ton of ups and downs; nonetheless, the relationship has worked more times than not.
It is a crucial summer for the Lakers and James. For the Lakers, they are eager to build a championship-level roster, meaning they'll want to get younger and more athletic.
As for James, he also wants to compete for a title. However, as things stand, it's unclear if the Lakers are his best chances to do that.
If the Lakers don't show any interest or the proper amount in James, he will likely ride off into the sunset with another team for what could be his unprecedented 24th season in the NBA.
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