LeBron James in talks with Lakers over new contract as free agency looms

LeBron James’ free agency this summer has again put his future at the center of NBA offseason talk.

James can become a free agent for the first time since 2018, raising the possibility he could change teams or end his career. ESPN reported that his representatives and the Lakers are already discussing the structure of a new contract.

If James returns for a record 24th season, he appears focused on reaching an agreement with the team he has played for the past eight years.

"I think LeBron James’ intention is to play, and I think the focus right now is making a deal with the Lakers," ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said on ESPN Cleveland radio. "Right now, he’s allowed to negotiate with the Lakers, and I believe they are negotiating. I believe they’re going back and forth."

"In the next 14 days, I think he’s going to try to make a deal with the Lakers," Windhorst added.

James is already the league’s longest-tenured player. He and his wife Savannah have three children, including their son Bronny, who played alongside him for the past two seasons.

Last month the Lakers were eliminated by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference semifinals. James largely carried the team to a first-round win over the Houston Rockets even without Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic in the lineup. Reaves returned for the conference semifinals, but Doncic could not recover from a hamstring injury in time to play again.