Well, it happened: after much speculation, rumor, and some worry from fans, LeBron James signed a two-year, $97.1 million contract extension with the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday.
It was a huge deal for the team and the four-time champion and it made it clear that the Lakers are all in on James for as long as they can be.
While only James, his management team, and the Lakers front office know the actual specifics of negotiations, some facts from behind the scenes are coming out.
LeBron James’ decision to sign an extension with the Lakers came despite his private insistence that the Lakers “improve the current roster” and trade for Kyrie Irving, per @jovanbuha pic.twitter.com/3xWSk3rudd
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 18, 2022
Apparently, James’ choice to re-sign with the Lakers came despite his “private insistence” that the Lakers “improve the current roster” and trade for Kyrie Irving of the Brooklyn Nets.
James usually gets what he asks for but it remains to be seen if this is one wish that will become reality for the Lakers.
Irving Inbound?
James may want his old pal Irving to play alongside him and he might be pleading with the Lakers to move heaven and earth to make that happen but that doesn’t really mean anything in the grand scheme of things.
That is because the Brooklyn Nets are in complete control of Irving, his destiny, and his future in the league
It is quite obvious that Brooklyn will not make any deal for either Irving or Kevin Durant until they are 100% satisfied with the return they get for both players.
LA doesn’t have a whole lot they can send to the Nets – they’re surely not giving up Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook isn’t enough to get the Nets intrigued.
If the team hopes to make James happy with this request, they will have to get creative.
NEXT: LeBron James Made The Right Choice To Re-Sign With The Lakers