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LeBron James has had a mixed stint with the LA Lakers till now. The NBA legend has already spent seven seasons with the franchise and has lifted the silverware once. While everything is going smoothly for the 40-year-old at the Lakers, the time has come for him to make a choice. James will have to either exercise or decline his player option in his current contract.
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LeBron James to Exit the Lakers?
According to rumors, James may decline his $52.6 million player option, but this does not necessarily mean he would quit the purple and gold club.
According to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, James will continue his tactic of signing unusual '1+1' contracts that allow him and the Lakers to modify their cap numbers.
By doing so, James gives the Lakers more flexibility to rearrange their squad and develop around his new running partner, Luka Doncic.
With James winding up his 22nd season in the league, it makes sense for the Lakers to shift their focus to Doncic as the franchise's unquestioned face. After all, their blockbuster trade to acquire the Slovenian guard, which came at the expense of parting ways with spectacular big man Anthony Davis, was designed with the Lakers' long-term future in mind.
LeBron James continues to bring tremendous value to the table, averaging 24.5 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 8.5 assists per game this season. Even as the Lakers begin a rebuild around Doncic, James remains an integral piece of the team.
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Lakers in a Tight Position
The Lakers however are struggling to pick up a win at the moment. The loss against the Bulls on Thursday was the side's fourth defeat in the last five games. Nevertheless, owing to an exceptional performance in the prior phase has kept them afloat but they cannot afford to have more hiccups in this crucial juncture of the season. The Lakers will next take on the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday.
