LeBron James signed a massive two-year, $85 million contract extension with the Los Angeles Lakers last week.
This week, the four-time champ revealed what the best part of his deal is.
“The best thing about it is the year I’ll be a free agent will be the same year my oldest son graduates high school,” he said.
“So I’ll have some options to see, for me personally, what I want to do forward, being around my family, being around my son more or continue to play this game I love with great health and great spirits. We’ll see.”
James previously expressed a desire to play alongside his son back in 2018.
“You want to ask me what was the greatest achievement in my life? If I’m on the same court as my son in the NBA,” he said.
“That would be No. 1 in my lifetime as an NBA player. … I’ve thought about it because my son is about to be 14, and he might be able to get in there a little earlier.”
“Play together?” play-by-play announcer Mike Breen wondered.
“Or play against,” James replied.
That said, James knows health is a precarious thing – so he is trying not to look too far ahead.
“I don’t look too far into the future as far as myself,” he said.
“I just give the game as much as I can in the time being and see what happens. I’ve been blessed to be a part of 18 straight training camps, and I’ll never take that for granted.”
Meanwhile, James is turning his attention to next season and defending the title he and the Lakers just won.
When pressed on what is toughest about the prospect of repeating, James thought back to his stint with the Miami Heat.
“I guess the bull’s-eye just becomes even greater, if that’s even possible,” he replied.
Alabama went after Coach O hard after the game. https://t.co/SUduHNyY5I
— Game 7 (@game7__) December 6, 2020
“For me personally, the bull’s-eye has always been on my back — or my front — since I entered the league. You add in the Laker name on top of that, the Lakers franchise, the bull’s-eye has been on this franchise for a long time as well.”
That said, James is ready for the challenge.
“Mentally, I’m great,” he said.
Imagine breaking into a house thinking you’re gonna find Kylie Jenner and finding a 6’6”, 220-pound NBA star instead.https://t.co/ZRN9T2pjYM
— Game 7 (@game7__) December 5, 2020
“I’m healthy. My family is healthy. I’m great mentally, so I’m in a really good place in my life. I’m solid.”
Will James ultimately get the opportunity to play alongside his son?
Time will tell.
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Charles Kruger has been credentialed to cover two Super Bowls, four NBA Finals, and one World Series. A 20-year veteran in the sports world, he has sources spanning the NBA, MLB, NFL, UFC and NASCAR. Currently residing in Los Angeles, Calif., he is Game 7’s go-to source for rumors surrounding the Lakers, Clippers and Dodgers.