The Los Angeles Lakers are approaching one of the most important offseasons in franchise history, with decisions looming on both LeBron James and Austin Reaves as the team looks to build a championship contender around Luka Doncic.
According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, there is a potential financial path that would allow the Lakers to retain both players while maintaining flexibility to improve the roster.
McMenamin reported Thursday that league sources continue to believe James is likely to return to Los Angeles if he decides to play a 24th NBA season. While the Golden State Warriors remain a legitimate alternative, the Lakers appear better positioned financially.
“Still, the prevailing sentiment, according to more than half a dozen sources around the league, is that James will likely return to the Lakers if he comes back, with the Golden State Warriors presenting a realistic second option,” McMenamin wrote.
The financial gap between the two franchises is significant.
“The most the Warriors, as currently constructed, would be able to offer James is the $15.1 million non-taxpayer midlevel exception, $37 million less than what he made last season.”
Insider sees affordable LeBron James contract as key to retaining Austin Reaves
McMenamin noted that while the Lakers could technically offer James a maximum contract worth three years and $182 million, nobody around the league expects that to happen.
Instead, a shorter-term deal in a much lower salary range could provide a solution that benefits both sides.
“However, L.A. could beat the Warriors’ offer with a deal in the $20 million to $30 million range, still re-sign Reaves and have money remaining to build out the rest of the roster.”
James’ future remains unresolved as he continues a family vacation overseas before meeting with agent Rich Paul to discuss his options.
“Believe nothing that’s out there because I haven’t had one conversation with him,” Paul said recently on ESPN’s “The Pat McAfee Show.”
“At the end of the season, I made it clear that I would respect him and the family, because this is going to be a family decision for him.”
According to McMenamin, Paul also revealed that approximately 10 to 12 teams have expressed interest in James.
Reaves’ free agency looms as Lakers seek long-term roster flexibility
Meanwhile, Reaves represents another major priority for the Lakers.
The 28-year-old guard is expected to enter free agency after producing a career-best season. Reaves averaged 23.3 points, 5.5 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 1.1 steals while shooting 49 percent from the field despite battling multiple injuries.
The Lakers can offer Reaves a five-year contract worth up to $241 million, while rival teams are limited to a four-year deal worth approximately $179 million.
President of basketball operations Rob Pelinka has repeatedly expressed confidence that Reaves wants to remain in Los Angeles.
“He started his journey here as a Laker and has made it very clear to us that he wants his journey to continue as a Laker,” Pelinka said during his exit interview.
Complicating matters is the interest expected from teams such as the Brooklyn Nets, which possess enough cap space to offer Reaves a maximum contract.
Still, McMenamin reported that money is not expected to be the only factor in Reaves’ decision. Sources familiar with his thinking continue to indicate that he values the possibility of spending his entire career with the Lakers.
If Los Angeles can secure James on a team-friendly contract in the $20 million to $30 million range while retaining Reaves, the organization could preserve meaningful flexibility to upgrade the roster and accelerate its championship pursuit around Doncic.
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