New Lakers Rumors on LeBron James, Trades, Salary Cap and Contract Decisions in Free Agency

The Los Angeles Lakers have some major decisions to make this offseason as they look to build a contender around Luka Dončić. Perhaps no decision will put them under the spotlight more than the free agency of LeBron James.

According to Dan Woike of The Athletic, the Lakers have "long spoken about James' contract as an expiring one and have been interested in exploring ways to best tailor their roster to Dončić by using that cap space. However, it's considered a fairly weak free-agency class—with, strangely enough, James and Austin Reaves as two of the very best players who could be available. It's also not just at the top of free agency where the Lakers are a source of talent. Rui Hachimura and Luke Kennard are two of the best shooters available. Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart both outplayed their contracts a year ago and could opt into free agency. Jaxson Hayes is one of the few rim-running lob threats available. At a time when the Lakers should be feeling some pressure to make changes to the roster, their own players being among the best in free agency puts them in a strange position."

Restricted free agency isn't a likely pathway to improvement, with Woike reporting that the Utah Jazz and Detroit Pistons are expected to match any offer sheets for Walker Kessler and Jalen Duren, respectively. Mark Williams, Tari Eason and Peyton Watson are other players worth monitoring, but their current teams would likely match any offer sheets as well.

That leaves a trade—or perhaps a sign-and-trade involving James—as the best option to rebuild around Dončić and Reaves, assuming the team re-signs him as expected.

As Woike reported, "The team could be aggressive in trades up until free agency begins on June 30, and if they're able to make moves that involve sending out matching salaries, league sources said there's a pathway for the Lakers to actually operate as an over-the-cap team. If they do so, having James' Bird rights would become particularly valuable and could give the team easier pathways to paying James closer to his worth."

James' fit next to Dončić is wonky enough that a divorce this offseason might make sense for both sides. Dončić wants the ball in his hands, and Reaves operates as a solid secondary ball-handler. James, meanwhile, has been the primary offensive facilitator for every team he's played on until recently.

But there aren't many teams with cap space this summer, meaning that a sign-and-trade might be the best chance he has at earning a salary befitting his impact and prestige.