If D’Angelo Russell opts out of his contract and LeBron James takes roughly $12 million lower than his max, then the Los Angeles Lakers can have their full midlevel exception obtainable to make use of in free company, stories Brian Windhorst on his the Hoop Collective podcast.
“If Russell opts out, the Lakers can have a window to do one thing,” stated Windhorst. “And, look, LeBron could shut the door shut. However I do assume if that they had a plan of who they might signal for the complete midlevel, they might take it to LeBron and he would not less than hear.”
Windhorst does not point out any particular free agent targets for the Lakers on the midlevel exception, however James would presumably solely entertain that state of affairs for a participant he believes can be a considerable difference-makers for his or her workforce.
If James opts out, he can signal a brand new contract with a no-trade clause and in addition give the Lakers optionality below this state of affairs. James may signal for as much as $160 million over three seasons if he opts out with a no-trade clause, or he may opt-in at $51.4 million after which signal an extension price $162 million over three season however with out the no-trade clause.
If Russell opts in to his $18.7 million contract for 24-25, the Lakers will seemingly discover commerce eventualities involving him.