The Los Angeles Lakers will have some interesting options this summer as far as improving their roster and trying to become championship contenders again. They can go all-in for Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, or they can use the roughly $50 million in salary cap space they’re projected to have on multiple complementary players.
The other big domino to fall for them is what LeBron James decides to do once his current contract expires at the end of this season. There has been a feeling that this will be his last go-around with the Lakers and that he could return to the Cleveland Cavaliers this offseason. But according to an ESPN report this week, Los Angeles would welcome him back for next season.
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The team is rumored to be targeting several needle-moving forwards and wings in free agency, including the Denver Nuggets‘ Peyton Watson. One NBA source warned that L.A. will need to make a quick decision when it comes to James once free agency opens up (h/t Lakers Daily).
“It’s not like if they get turned down by Peyton Watson in free agency, they can fall back on LeBron,” the source said. “He’ll already be gone.”
Some have speculated that James could simply decide to retire after the end of this season. However, he’s still playing at a high level, even if he’s picking his spots more than he ever has.
He’s averaging 22 points on 50.2% shooting from the field, 5.8 rebounds and 7.1 assists a game so far this season. In the Lakers’ last game, a 124-104 win over the Dallas Mavericks, he became the oldest player in NBA history to record a triple-double with 28 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: NBA source implies Lakers cannot wait on LeBron James in free agency