We have all heard how Father Time is undefeated. Don’t tell that to LeBron James.
The 39-year-old has a player option for over $51 million next season. While there has been no word about whether he will pick it up or move on to free agency, the latter seems more likely.
According to Brian Windhorst on ESPN’s First Take, James will be looking for the Los Angeles Lakers to give him a multi-year deal in the offseason worth nine figures.
Brian Windhorst Reveals LeBron James’ Plans for Next Contract
Still Productive in Year 21
Now in his 21st NBA season, James is still producing at a high rate. In 51 games, the all-time scoring leader is posting averages of 25 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 7.9 assists. He is shooting 52.4% from the field and 40.1% from three-point territory. Only once in his 20 previous seasons did he connect on more than 40% of his three-point tries.
While still productive, he may not quite be the force he once was that almost yearly guaranteed his team one of the best records in the NBA. The Lakers currently sit at 31-28, ninth in the Western Conference. Last season, they finished 43-39, seventh in the West, before making a run to the Western Conference Finals.