1. According to Kyle Gunn, a reporter for the Orange County Chronicle, LeBron James will begin his contract extension on Thursday, and Kyle Gunn will analyze the factors that influence James's decision to renew his contract with the Lakers.
The Lakers could sign James to a two-year, $97.1 million contract extension until after he turns 40, or he could choose a $46.7 million one-year contract. James could also decide to take less, but Gunn won't believe the Lakers can make a major upgrade on the roster he may offer with any savings he may offer.
Money will obviously be the deciding factor, but James also wants to be part of the championship contenders, and Los Angeles may not be able to offer it right away. Gunn will point out that the team's salary space next summer could be around $20 million, which is enough to add a star-level player, but not enough to add another top-salary player. It's just that in the case that James doesn't accept a contract extension, which could be a major distraction throughout the season.
Family can also influence James's thought process because he has kids in school and seems committed to the Los Angeles area. He expressed a desire to play with his son Brownie, who is about to enter high school this year, and if LeBron agrees to a two-year extension, it could put pressure on the Lakers to sign him in the 2024 draft.
According to Athletic reporter Jowan Buha, the Lakers are Irving's "destination of choice" whether it's through a trade deal or leaving the Nets as a free agent next summer. Buha added that the lack of interest in trade with Irving across the league suggests that Los Angeles could be his only option as a free agent.
That is to say, regardless of whether Westbrook can trade this season, Irving will eventually reunite with James in the Lakers. This will happen next season at the latest.
3. Clippers guard Reggie Jackson told the youngsters at Paul George's basketball camp that he was considering retiring while playing for the Pistons echoed his remarks in March. "It really made me start questioning myself (in the later stages of his tenure in Detroit)," Jackson said. "Don't let anyone do this to you in life and deprive you of the pleasure of the things you love. I was really going to retire and my brother saved me. ”
4. According to Johanny Askunis of the European Basketball Association, Nuggets Nikola Jokic is looking forward to representing Serbia for the first time in three years in basketball. The two-time MVP will join the national team in the 2023 FIBA World Cup qualifiers, hosting Greece on August 25 and Turkey on August 28.
"I feel great, like every time I get back together with someone. I've just met some of them," Jokic said in front of serbian team's training camp. "We're getting ready, we're just getting started and we're going to see how far we can go. The first is the FIBA World Cup qualifiers, and the goal of helping Serbia qualify for the World Cup. ”
Jokic is also planning to compete in Next Month's Euro basketball tournament, where he could compete in the 2023 World Cup and the 2024 Olympics if Serbia qualifies. Jokic is particularly proud to serve his country.
Jokic said: "It means a lot to me, I talked to my family and it's a completely different feeling to play for the national team." "I didn't feel the same way I came here when I went to Denver."
5. According to Aris Barcas of European Basketball Club, another MVP, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and his brother, Bucks teammate Tanassis Antetokounmpo, are in Athens waiting to join the Greek team for training camp. Under one agreement, NBA players must prepare 28 days before FIBA's big game and 14 days before the Olympics. Another pair of alphabet brothers, Alex and Kostas, have trained with Greece. The Lone Ranger's newly signed Taylor Dorsey is subject to the same restrictions as Alphabet Brother and Tanassis, and will not start training until Thursday.
6. Heat center Omo Jurtseven decided not to attend the Turkish national team's training camp in Italy, according to the European Basketball Association, but he did not inform team officials of his decision and did not obtain permission in advance. The decision was made by Yurt Ceven, not the Heat, the report added that the rookie center chose to stay in Miami to focus on preparing for training camp. The report noted that Jurt Cevennes was suspended for 8 games in 2018 for absenteeism from national team activities without notice.
7. Askunis said in another report that Thunder forward Alexei Pokuszewski and Heat rookie Nikola Jovic were both denied access to representing Serbia in Eurobam and World Cup qualifiers. Hawks forward Bogdan Bogdanovic was also unable to play as his knee surgery was recovering.
8. Gobert looks forward to the dream twin towers with Embiid and says no one will reject genius
Philadelphia 76ers star center Joel Embiid has recently confirmed to become a French citizen, and is expected to represent France in the 2023 World Cup basketball tournament and the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, and form a "dream twin tower" with Gobert. Gobert was also positive, revealing that no one would reject genius.
Embiid, who was born in Cameroon, moved to the United States at the age of 16, but he speaks fluent French and has relatives in France. Since FIBA allows naturalized players to join, Embiid has revealed in the past that if he plays the national team, he will choose between the United States, Cameroon and France. Now that it has been confirmed to be naturalized in France, it has caused a backlash among many players, including Tony Parker, who has mentioned that this matter is becoming more and more absurd.
However, French centre forward Gobert is positive, "He [Embiid] is a great player, but there are a lot of things to consider, especially Joel's unique style of play, plus we have worked well together, you have to see what impact he will have on the team." Gobert also added that he is looking forward to working with Embiid, but it all depends on coach Vincent's decision.
'But I'm sure no one would turn down a player with such a high level of talent, as long as he works with our team, maintains chemistry and the principles of the game, and is ready to adapt, he will be a very good weapon for us." Gobert said. France coach Vincent revealed that if Embiid's condition is not a problem, there is no reason not to choose, "We always try to pick the best players, he definitely belongs to this category." ”
9. Lakers passed on a 2-year, $98 million extension of Zhan Huang
According to the Lakers' team reporter Joe Walden, the Lakers will announce a 2-year, $98 million contract extension for home star James tomorrow, hoping to keep the second person in NBA history after Jordan forever in Los Angeles.
James now has only one year left on a contract with the Lakers, with an annual salary of $44.47 million for the new season, and will be a free agent next summer, while the Lakers' upcoming extension is $98 million for 2 years or $47 million for 1 year.
James averaged 30.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 1.3 interceptions and 1.1 blocks last season. The average score is the best in career, once conquered the league's leading scorer, if not injured, it is very likely to create a new career peak.
Therefore, James' contract extension is very important for the Lakers, only James is willing to stay, and the Lakers are willing to pay more chips to trade to strengthen the lineup.