On April 12, Beijing time, The Athletic celebrity Sam Amik wrote an article analyzing James' choice to renew his contract this summer and his role in the Lakers' coaching process. Armick pointed out that James may not renew his contract with the Lakers in advance, and the 37-year-old star does not have a decisive vote in the Lakers' coaching.
In today's season wrap-up interview, James was asked if he would renew his contract with the Lakers this summer. He was eligible for a two-year, $97.1 million extension in August, and his response was that he hadn't talked about the renewal. Because of the NBA rules, they have not yet reached the point in time to negotiate a contract extension with the Lakers.
So will James renew his contract with the Lakers early? Amik, who has spoken to a number of people familiar with the situation, has pointed out that James would prefer to fulfill his existing contract rather than renew his contract two years earlier this summer. If James had targeted contract flexibility and freedom, he would have returned to the strategy he used to play for the Cavaliers for the second time: signing on year-on-year.
After all, James has made it clear that he wants to play with his oldest son, Brownie, which means he may have to make new choices in the summer of 2024. At this time, a signing a year can give James the greatest freedom of choice.
Armick also revealed that the Lakers are picking a new coach, and former Warriors coach Mark Jackson is one of the candidates. Sources said James was very excited about the prospect of Mark Jackson getting the job. But Amik stressed that history tells us that doesn't mean [Mark Jackson became Lakers coach] is going to actually happen.
"If James really had the decisive vote, then Tyrone Lue would be hired as the Lakers' head coach in the summer of 2019, not Vogel," Amik wrote in the article. It is also true that James has a certain influence in the Decision-making of the Lakers, such as his promotion of the Westbrook deal, but not everything will make him come true. At least in terms of coaching, he did not have a decisive vote.